“Detained at the last moment by one who had a claim upon me,” was the Reverend Frank’s apology to Lightwood, taking no thought of himself. To which Mrs. Milvey added, taking thought for him, like the championing little wife she was; “Oh yes, detained at the last moment. But as to the claim, Frank, I must say that I do think you are over -considerate sometimes, and allow that to be a little abused.”
Bella felt conscious, in spite of her late pledge for herself, that her husband’s absence would give disagreeable occasion for surprise to the Milveys. Nor could she appear quite at her ease when Mrs. Milvey asked:
“ How is Mr. Rokesmith, and is he gone before us, or does he follow us?”
It becoming necessary, upon this, to send him to bed again and hold him in waiting to be lanced again, Bella did it. But not half as well on the second occasion as on the first; for, a twice-told white one seems almost to become a black one, when you are not used to it.
“Oh dear !” said Mrs. Milvey, “I am so sorry! Mr. Rokesmith took such an interest in Lizzie Hexam, when we were there before. And if we had only known of his face, we could have given him something that would have kept it down long enough for so short a purpose.”
By way of making the white one whiter, Bella hastened to stipulate that he was not in pain. Mrs. Milvey was so glad of it.
“I don’t know how it is,” said Mrs. Milvey, “and I am sure you don’t, Frank, but the clergy and their wives seem to cause swelled faces. Whenever I take notice of a child in the school, it seems to me as if its face swelled instantly . Frank never makes acquaintance with a new old