Doctor's Orders Read Online Free PDF Page B

young men who lived in the hotel were in league with Anthea against her. They were always charming to Diana, and sometimes they persuaded her openly to allow Anthea a little fun, implying that she was unreasonable; but at other times, they slipped off with Anthea on some jaunt of which she would probably disapprove, and she had to fume in impatience until they returned.
    On the morning of Anthea’s appointment, Diana was early in her room.
    “Anthea, you have your appointment with Dr. Frederic today,” she reminded her.
    “Oh yes, what a bore.” Anthea was eating her breakfast, and sipped her coffee as she watched Diana.
    “Now, we are going to be punctual,” Diana warned her. “Dr. Frederic is too important to be kept waiting. Besides, our day is our own to use as we like; his is one long round of work and appointments; so mind you are ready on time.”
    “How do we go?”
    “I have ordered a car. It will be here at ten, so please be ready by then.”
    “All right,” said Anthea, indifferently.
    “And it’s rather cold, so wear a suit.”
    “All right, mamma,” said Anthea, smiling mischievously. Diana laughed at her, and left her to her breakfast.
    By fussing round her, fetching things she had forgotten, putting away the clothes she had decided not to wear, Diana had Anthea ready on time, and they left the Splendide punctually. It was necessary to make a rather long way round, as some of the mountain roads were not yet open to traffic, on account of snow, but this pleased Diana well. There was no particular novelty in this drive for Anthea, who was familiar with all the well-known places in Switzerland, but for Diana it was all sheer delight. Anthea was not very talkative, and this also pleased Diana. She was free to devote herself to the beautiful countryside through which they passed. Anthea could always find so much to say to the many young men who admired her, but she became quickly silent and bored with her own sex. She had even studied the driver of the hired car, a man very handsome in the Italian manner, but decided he had no possibilities and at once ignored him.
    When they reached Dr. Frederic’s house, they went inside to wait. Almost at once, the secretary came to them, apologetic and distressed.
    “I am so very sorry, but Dr. Frederic was called away earlier this morning. I think he will be back soon, if you would be so good as to wait.”
    “Certainly,” said Diana. They made themselves comfortable and began to study the many magazines left fox; their perusal. Anthea said:
    “Dr. Frederic mustn’t be kept waiting, oh no. But it doesn’t matter about us.”
    “Well, it doesn’t really, does it?” said Diana pleasantly. “What is half an hour, here or there, to you?”
    Anthea did not deign a reply to this, but looked at her book of French fashion with considerable interest. After half an hour, the secretary brought them some coffee and little sweet biscuits, and more profuse apologies. Anthea accepted the coffee, and looked regretfully at the sweet biscuits.
    “No,” she decided, “I’ll have to say no to those.”
    “Come along,” persuaded Diana, “you could do with a little more weight.”
    “You don’t know what it cost me to get it off,” said Anthea. To the secretary who came later for the tray, she said:
    “Does Dr. Frederic often do this?”
    “No, and I am sure he will be very sorry indeed. You see a Maharajah flew from India especially to consult him, and Dr. Frederic thought it important that he should be accommodated at the clinic for a few days right away; and that is where he is now. I am sure he will return almost at once.”
    “You said that before,” said Anthea.
    They waited a little longer, however; and at last he arrived, coming straight to them where they were waiting, his hands stretched out to shake hands, adding his apologies to those of the secretary.
    “Now,” he said briskly, “I must not waste more of your time. If you will come in here ...