The Argosy — page 98: what you’re looking at

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Mr. Gordon: Specialist. . § 3 an heroic indifference to her own feelings, ‘‘and I am in hopes that it may be prevented at least from increasing.” Mr. Gordon’s glad smile of welcome had long ago faded ; his out- stretched hand had fallen to his side. He bowed gravely in answer to Mrs. Farringdon Griffiths’ speech. ‘‘May I trouble you to sit down?” he said, in his slow Scotch tones. Mr. Gordon, for the time engrossed by the exercise of his own pet fad, submitted Mrs. Farringdon Griffiths to a prolonged and careful examination. Her teeth were in a deplorable condition, he pronounced steadily. She was quite right in supposing that her deafness was in great part attributable to them. With her permission he would there and then prepare to set matters right. Her permission was readily granted, for Mrs. Farringdon Griffiths had a keen regard for her own interest. Though she had no inten- tion of receiving the dentist as an equal, she thought she might at least profit by his acquaintance to the extent of having a tiresome and expensive operation skilfully performed for nothing. When, at last, Mr. Gordon announced that it was impossible for him to do anything that day as he had another engagement, the patient’s usual savoir-faire had in great measure returned to her. She prepared to rise somewhat stiffly and acknowledge her indebted- ness to Mr. Gordon ; at the same time turning on Virginia a warning look, not knowing how much further that most foolish person might involve her. Before Mrs. Farringdon Griffiths could thoroughly raise herself from her rather difficult position to carry out her meditated policy, Mr. Gordon had already hastened to the divan. He was bending over the reclining form, and turned his serious face on Mrs, Farringdon Griffiths. ‘Your daughter has fainted,” he said quietly. ‘‘ Just bring me that olass of water.” “Parcel o’ nonsense!” cried Mrs. Farringdon Griffiths energeti- cally. ‘‘I’ll soon bring her round.” And she roughly shook the prostrate figure by the arm. ‘‘Get up at once, Virginia,” she said, angrily ; ‘‘and don’t lie there making an exhibition of yourself.” But Virginia did not move. Her fair eyelashes lay stiffly on her cheeks ; all sign of colour had left even her lips. “Get me that glass of water,” the dentist repeated. He had raised the languid head and removed the bonnet. This time Mrs. Farring- don Griffiths obeyed. ‘It is atrocious,” she murmured nervously ; “ positively atrocious, the way that girl involves me in a perfect scandal!” Mr. Gordon gently dropped some of the cold water on Virginia’s forehead, and put the glass to her lips. Her eyelids slightly quivered and her lips moved. He prepared to withdraw his arm. ** No, don’t leave me,” she murmured. COMMICOOOKS.C© mn