"I see." In spite of himself Anstice felt repulsed by her manner, which, made his warmly spoken gratitude appear superfluous. "Well, in any case the result is the same--delight in the wards and something beautiful and fragrant to lighten the children's sufferings."
"Pray tell Cherry--she will be pleased." Possibly Mrs. Carstairs had noted the stiffness of his speech, and in her languid way desired to soothe his feelings. "I forget if you have seen my little daughter. I must introduce you to her--and----" she turned to the young girl who stood by and laid a hand on her arm--"to her friend--and mine."
Anstice glanced towards the two who still stood, hand-in-hand, on the top step, and Mrs. Carstairs performed the ceremony of introduction in the deep, rich voice which was somehow part of her personality.
"Iris, let me introduce Dr. Anstice ... Miss Wayne."
Anstice bowed, but the girl held out her hand with a youthful friendliness which was attractive.
"How d'you do? I'm glad I didn't know your car was behind me as we came up the avenue. I don't mind what I meet, but I always hate things coming up behind my cycle," she said pleasantly.
"If you are in the habit of giving such youthful passengers rides I don't wonder you're nervous," he replied; and the girl opened her grey eyes widely.
"Nervous! I'm not!" She spoke indignantly. "But when your allowance is strictly limited, and you have to pay for repairs yourself, you don't want people running into you from the back and perhaps smashing up your pet Douglas!"
"I see." He smiled discreetly, and Mrs. Carstairs claimed his attention once more.
"And this"--she drew the child forward--"is Cherry."
"How are you?" Anstice, who was always polite to children, shook hands, and the child looked at him with a pair of very clear brown eyes.
"Quite well, thank you, my dear," she responded gravely, and Iris Wayne was secretly much diverted by the expression of astonishment which this form of address evoked in the face of the hearer.
"You like motoring?" Anstice felt constrained to keep up the conversation, and Cherry nodded calmly.
"Very much, my dear. Do you?"
"Yes...." Anstice experienced an overwhelming desire to repeat her endearing term, but luckily refrained. "This is my car--will you come for a ride with me one day?"
For a second Cherry regarded him with a pensive courtesy which was almost embarrassing. Then: "With pleasure, my dear," she replied, and Iris laughed outright.