Kemp's name. It was the first time she had had occasion to go; and
with a little feeling of novel curiosity she ran up the stairs leading to
his office.
It was just three, --the time stated as the limit of his office-hours; but
when Ruth entered the handsome waiting-room, two or three patients were
still awaiting their turns. Seated in one of the easy-chairs, near the
window, was an aristocratic-looking woman, whom Ruth recognized as a friend
of one of her Christian friends, and with whom she had a speaking
acquaintance. Nodding pleasantly in response to the rather frigid bow, she
walked to the centre of the room, and laying upon the table a bunch of
roses that she carried, proceeded to select one of the magazines scattered
about. As she sat down, she found herself opposite a stout Irishwoman,
coarsely but cleanly dressed, who with undisguised admiration took in every
detail of Ruth's appearance. She overlooked the evident simplicity of the
woman's stare; but the wistful, yearning look of a little girl who reclined
upon the lounge caused her to sit with her magazine unopened. As soon as
she perceived that it was her flowers that the child regarded so longingly,
she bent forward, and holding out a few roses, said invitingly, --
"Would you like these?"
There is generally something startling in the sudden sound of a voice after
a long silence between strangers; but the pretty cadence of Ruth's gentle
voice bore no suggestion of abruptness.
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