This is the first time he has ever behaved like this." Mrs.Crofton dragged herself up from her comfortable seat.

Her face looked white and pinched.

In spite of her real effort to control herself, there were tears in her eyes and her lips were trembling.

"If you are on the telephone," she said appealingly, "I should be so grateful if you should send for a fly.

I don't feel well enough to walk home." She tried to smile.