CHAPTER IX 

DOCTOR PATSY 

Next morning Uncle John and the Weldons--including the precious baby--went for a ride into the mountains, while Beth and Patsy took their embroidery into a sunny corner of the hotel lobby. 

It was nearly ten o'clock when A. Jones discovered the two girls and came tottering toward them. Tottering is the right word; he fairly swayed as he made his way to the secluded corner. 

"I wish he'd use a cane," muttered Beth in an undertone. "I have the feeling that he's liable to bump his nose any minute." 

Patsy drew up a chair for him, although he endeavored to prevent her. 

"Are you feeling better this morning?" she inquired. 

"I--I think so," he answered doubtfully. "I don't seem to get back my strength, you see." 

"Were you stronger before your accident?" asked Beth. 

"Yes, indeed. I went swimming, you remember. But perhaps I was not strong enough to do that. I--I'm very careful of myself, yet I seem to grow weaker all the time." 

There was a brief silence, during which the girls plied their needles. 

"Are you going to stay in this hotel?" demanded Patsy, in her blunt way. 

"For a time, I think. It is very pleasant here," he said. 

"Have you had breakfast?" 

"I took a food-tablet at daybreak." 

"Huh!" A scornful exclamation. Then she glanced at the open door of the dining-hall and laying aside her work she rose with a determined air and said: 

"Come with me!" 

"Where?" 

For answer she assisted him to rise. Then she took his hand and marched him across the lobby to the dining room. 
Was he going to be a guest at the hotel?
"Are you going to stay in this hotel?" demanded Patsy, in her blunt way. 

"For a time, I think. It is very pleasant here," he said. 