Abel’s voice was uncannily bland and polite — ”I’ll spatter the road with her brains. Tell him that with A. Gay’s compliments.”

“Dr. Stalling, a nurse is not what Cissy needs,” said Valancy earnestly. “She isn’t so ill as that, yet. What she wants is companionship — somebody she knows and likes just to live with her. You can understand that, I’m sure.”

“I understand that your motive is quite — ahem — commendable.” Dr. Stalling felt that he was very broad-minded indeed — especially as in his secret soul he did not believe Valancy’s motive was commendable. He hadn’t the least idea what she was up to, but he was sure her motive was not commendable. When he could not