In answer the tears sprang to Joan’s eyes.  She knelt down and put her arms about the woman.

“Don’t be so silly,” she cried.  “There’s nothing going to happen.  You’re going to get fat and well again; and live to see him Prime Minister.”

“I am getting thin, ain’t I?” she said.  “I always wanted to be thin.”  They both laughed.

“But I shan’t see him that, even if I do live,” she went on.  “He’ll never be that, without you.  And I’d be so proud to think that he would.  I shouldn’t mind going then,” she added.

Joan did not answer.  There seemed no words that would come.

“You will promise, won’t you?” she persisted, in a whisper.  “It’s only ’in case’—­just that I needn’t worry myself.”

Joan looked up.  There was something in the eyes looking down upon her that seemed to be compelling her.

“If you’ll promise to try and get better,” she answered.

Mrs. Phillips stooped and kissed her.  “Of course, dear,” she said.  “Perhaps I shall, now that my mind is easier.”

Phillips came, as Mrs. Phillips had predicted.  He was surprised at seeing Joan.  He had not thought she could get back so soon.  He brought an evening paper with him.  It contained a paragraph to the effect that Mrs. Phillips, wife of the Rt.  Hon. Robert Phillips, M.P., was progressing favourably and hoped soon to be sufficiently recovered to return to her London residence.  It was the first time she had had a paragraph all to herself, headed with her name.  She flushed with pleasure; and Joan noticed that, after reading it again, she folded the paper up small and slipped it into her pocket.  The nurse came in from her walk a little later and took Joan downstairs with her.

“She ought not to talk to more than one person at a time,” the nurse explained, with a shake of the head.  She was a quiet, business-like woman.  She would not express a definite opinion.

“It’s her mental state that is the trouble,” was all that she would say.  “She ought to be getting better.  But she doesn’t.”

“You’re not a Christian Scientist, by any chance?” she asked Joan suddenly.

“No,” answered Joan.  “Surely you’re not one?”

“I don’t know,” answered the woman.  “I believe that would do her more good than anything else.  If she would listen to it.  She seems to have lost all will-power.”

The nurse left her; and the landlady came in to lay the table.  She understood that Joan would be dining with Mr. Phillips.  There was no train till the eight-forty.  She kept looking at Joan as she moved about the room.  Joan was afraid she would begin to talk, but she must have felt Joan’s antagonism for she remained silent.  Once their eyes met, and the woman leered at her.