She thought for a moment.

Then she put her hand on Dale's shoulder in a gesture of protective affection.
"Dale, dear--you know how I love having you here--but it might be better if you went back to the city." "Tonight, darling ?" Dale managed a wan smile.

But Miss Cornelia seemed serious.
"There's something behind all this disturbance--something I don't understand.

But I mean to." She glanced about to see if the Doctor was returning.

She lowered her voice.