Such a woman was like a poisonous weed; and he had thought she might bloom in the same garden with Jean--until Emily had told him.
He turned to the thought of Emily with relief. Thank God he could leave Jean in her care. If Derry went, there would still be Emily with her sweet sanity, and her wise counsels.
He felt very old as he went upstairs. He stood for a long time in front of his wife's picture. How sweet she had been in her forget-me-not gown--how little and tender! Their love had burned in a white flame--there would never be anything like that for him again.
He waked in the morning, however, ready for all that was before him. He was a man who dwelt little on the past. There was always the day's work, and the work of the day after.
His appetite for the work of the coming day was, it must be confessed, whetted somewhat by the thought of what he would say to Hilda.
They had an early breakfast, with Jean between her father and Derry and eating nothing for very happiness.
There was the start in the opal light of the early morning, with a faint rose sky making a background for the cross on the College, and the chimes saying "Seven o'clock."
Jim and Mary Connolly came out in the biting air to see them off. Then Mary went over to the church to pray for Jean and Derry. But first of all she prayed for her sons.
The Doctor, arriving at his office, at once called up Hilda.
"How do you know that he has told me anything?"
"By your voice. And you needn't think that you are going to scold me."
"I shall scold you for disobeying orders. I thought you were to be trusted, Hilda."
"I am not a saint. You know that. And I am not sure that I want you to come. I shall send you away if you scold."
She hung up the receiver and left him fuming. Her high-handed indifference to his authority sent him storming to Derry, "I've half a mind to stay away."
"I think I would. It won't do any good to go--"
But the Doctor went. He still hoped, optimistically, that Hilda might be induced to see the error of her ways.
She received him in the blue room, where the General's precious porcelain was set forth in cabinets. It was a choice little room which had been used by Mrs. Drake for the reception of special guests. Hilda was in her uniform, but without her cap. It was as if in doffing her cap, she struck her first note of independence against the Doctor's rule.