Ralph followed him, and the remainder of the party gathered in a little knot round the fire, Mrs.Marston expressing the sentiment of each of us when she said that she thought visitors were very much in the way when there was illness in the house, and that she regretted that she and her husband had arranged to stay over Sunday, to-day being Friday.
"So have I," said Carr; "but I am sure I had better have refused.

A stranger in a sick-house is a positive nuisance.

I think I shall go to town by an afternoon train, if there is one." "Upon my word I think we had better do the same," said Mrs.Marston.
"What do you say, Arthur ?" and she turned to her husband.
"I must go to-day, anyhow--on business," said General Marston.
"I hope no one is talking of leaving," said Charles, who had returned suddenly, rather out of breath.
As he spoke his eyes were fixed on Carr.
"Yes, that is exactly what we were doing," said Mrs.Marston.

"Nothing is so tiresome as having visitors on one's hands when there is illness in the house.

Mr.Carr was thinking of going up to London by the afternoon train; and I have a very good mind to go away with Arthur, instead of staying on, and letting him come back here for me to-morrow, as we had intended." "Pray do not think of such a thing!" said Charles, really with unnecessary earnestness.