Other Things Being Equal

Chapter III

CHAPTER III 'HE LEVICES' house stood well back upon its grounds, almost with an air of reserve in comparison with the rows of stately, bay-windowed houses facing it and hedging it in on both sides. But the broad, sweeping lawns, the confusion of exquisite roses and heliotropes, the open path to the veranda, whereon stood an hospitable garden settee and chair, the long French windows open this summer morning to sun and air, offered an unusually inviting aspect for a city home. As Dr. Kemp ascended the few steps leading to the front door he looked around approvingly. "Not a bad berth for the grave little bookworm," he mused as he rang the bell. It was immediately answered by the "grave little bookworm" in person. "I've been on the lookout for you for the past hour," he explained , leading him into the library and turning the key of the door as they entered. It was a cosy room, not small or low, as the word might suggest , but large and airy; the cosyness was supplied by comfortable easy-chairs, two deep couches, a broad, low table with flowers, an open piano, a few soft prints and paintings on the walls, and books in cases, books on tables, books on stands, books everywhere . Two long deep-framed windows let in through their draperies a flood of searching sunlight which brought to light not an atom of dust in the remotest corner. It is almost an article of faith with many a Jewess that her house be kept as clean as if at any moment a search-warrant for dirt might be served upon her. "Won't you be seated?" asked Levice, looking up at Kemp as the latter stood pulling off his gloves. OTHER THINQS BEINQ EQUAL 79 "Is your wife coming down here?" "No; she is in her room yet," "Then let's go up immediately- I'm not at leisure*" "I know* Still, I wish to ask you to treat whatever you may find wrong as lightly as possible in her presence; she has never known anxiety or worry of any kind* It will be necessary to tell only me, and every precaution will be taken*" Here was a second one of this family of three wishing to take the brunt of the trouble on his shoulders, and the third had been bearing it secretly for some time* Probably a very united family, loving and unselfish doubtless, but the doctor had to stifle an amused smile in the face of the old gentleman's dignified appeal* "But she's not a child, I suppose; she knows of the nature of my visit?" He moved with some impatience toward the door* "Ruth—my daughter, you know,—was about to tell her as I left the room*" "Then we'll go up directly*" Levice preceded him up the broad staircase* As they reached the landing, he turned to the doctor* "Pardon my care, but I must make sure that Ruth has told her* Just step into the sitting-room a second," and the solicitous husband went forward to his wife's bedroom, leaving the door open. Standing thus in the hallway, Kemp could plainly hear the following words: "And being interested in nervous diseases," the peculiarly low voice was saying, "he told father he would call and see you—out of professional curiosity, you know* Besides we wouldn't like you to be often taken as you were last night, would we?" "People with plenty of time on their hands," soliloquized the doctor, looking at his watch in the hallway* "What is his name, did you say?" "Dr* Herbert Kemp*" "What! Don't you know that Dr. Kemp is one of the bestknown physicians in the city? Everyone knows he has no time for curiosity* Nervous diseases are his specialty, and do you think he would come without—" 80 OTHER THINQS BEINQ EQUAL "Being asked?" interrupted a pleasant voice; the doctor, with some respect for the flight of time, had walked in unannounced, "Keep your seat," he continued, as Mrs- Levice started up, the excited blood springing to her cheeks. "You hardly need an introduction, Esther," said Levice. "You remember Dr. Kemp from last night?" "Yes. Don't go, Ruth, please. Jules, hadn't you something to do downstairs?" Did she imagine for a moment that she could still conceal her trouble from his tender watchfulness? Great...