You heard my name."
"I did not catch it clearly. Besides, I had never heard of you. None
of us have. Your mother did not choose to recognise the relationship."
"She called you a tide-waiter," said his wife indignantly.
"At least I'm not a white-tied waiter," cried Mr. Driver, with a
laugh, in which all joined. Then in low voice Dolly said--
"I met Mr. Purling at Purlington."
At which her father turned upon her with newly-raised suspicion. Why
had she not mentioned the fact before? But something in Mrs. Driver's
face deterred him. A woman in these matters sees how the land lies,
while the cleverest man is still unable to distinguish it from the
clouds upon the horizon-line.
"We are pleased to know you, Harold," said Mrs. Driver, a gentle,
soft-voiced motherly person.
"You have really come to practise here?" went on the father, still
rather on his guard.
"I wanted sea-air. The change will do me good," replied Harold, rather
evasively. "I like the place, too."
Not a doubt of it. Harbridge was after his own heart, and so were some
people who lived in it. He found it so much to his taste that he
declared within a week or two that he thought of remaining there
altogether. He would go into partnership with the local doctor;
perhaps he had another partnership also in his eye.
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