'Come in!' said Alice Gaddesden in a languid tone.

From the knock, sharp and loud, on her bedroom door, she guessed that it was her sister Margaret who wished to see her.

She did not wish, however, to see Margaret at all.

Margaret, who was slightly the elder, tired and coerced her.

But she had no choice.
Mrs.Strang entered briskly.
'My dear Alice! what a time of day to be in bed! Are you really ill ?' Mrs.Gaddesden grew red with annoyance.
'I thought I had told you, Margaret, that Dr.Crother advised me more than a year ago not to come down till the middle of the morning.