"Yes，"repliedRosa，quietly。
　　Theoldmanwouldnotscoldhernow；heonlysaid，sadly，"Iseehowitis:becauseIwillnotletyoumarrypoverty，youthinkIdonotloveyou。"Andhesighed。
　　"Opapa!theidea!"saidRosa。"Ofcourse，Iknowyouloveme。Itwasnotthat，youdear，darling，foolishpapa。There!ifyoumustknow，itwasbecauseIdidnotwantyoutobedistressed。I
　　thoughtImightgetbetterwithalittlephysic；and，ifnot，why，thenIthought，'Papaisanoldman；la!IdaresayIshalllasthistime；'andso，whyshouldIpoisonyourlatterdayswithworryingaboutME?"
　　Mr。Lusignanstaredather，andhislipquivered；buthethoughtthetraithardlyconsistentwithhersuperficialcharacter。Hecouldnothelpsaying，halfsadly，halfbitterly，"Well，butofcourseyouhavetoldDr。Staines。"
　　Rosaopenedherbeautifuleyes，liketwosuns。"OfcourseIhavedonenothingofthesort。Hehasenoughtotroublehim，withoutthat。Poorfellow!thereheis，worryingandstrivingtomakehisfortune，andgainyouresteem——'theygotogether，'youknow；youtoldhimso。"Youngcatswillscratchwhenleastexpected。"AndformetogoandtellhimIamindanger!Why，hewouldgowild。
　　Hewouldthinkofnothingbutmeandmyhealth。Hewouldnevermakehisfortune:andsothen，evenwhenIamgone，hewillnevergetawife，becausehehasonlygotgeniusandgoodnessandthreethousandpounds。No，papa，IhavenottoldpoorChristopher。I
　　mayteasethoseIlove。IhavebeenteasingYOUthiseversolong；
　　butfrightenthem，andmakethemmiserable?No!"
　　Andhere，thinkingoftheanguishthatwasperhapsinstoreforthosesheloved，shewantedtocry；italmostchokedhernotto。
　　Butshefoughtitbravelydown:shereservedhertearsforlighteroccasionsandlessnoblesentiments。
　　Herfatherheldouthisarmstoher。Sheranherfootstooltohim，andsatnestlingtohisheart。
　　"Pleaseforgivememymisconduct。Ihavenotbeenadutifuldaughtereversinceyou——butnowIwill。Kissme，myownpapa!
　　There!Nowweareaswealwayswere。"
　　Thenshepurredtohimoneverypossibletopicbuttheonethatnowfilledhisparentalheart，andbadehimgood-nightatlastwithacheerfulsmile。
　　Wymanwasexact，andtenminutesafterwardsDr。Snelldroveupinacarriageandpair。HewasinterceptedinthehallbyWyman，and，afterafewminutes'conversation，presentedtoMr。Lusignan。
　　Thefathergaveventtohispaternalanxietyinafewsimplebuttouchingwords，andwasproceedingtostatethesymptomsashehadgatheredthemfromhisdaughter；butDr。Snellinterruptedhimpolitely，andsaidhehadheardtheprincipalsymptomsfromMr。
　　Wyman。Then，turningtothelatter，hesaid，"Wehadbetterproceedtoexaminethepatient。"
　　"Certainly，"saidMr。Lusignan。"Sheisinthedrawing-room；"andheledtheway，andwasabouttoentertheroom，whenWymaninformedhimitwasagainstetiquetteforhimtobepresentattheexamination。
　　"Oh，verywell!"saidhe。"Yes，Iseetheproprietyofthat。Butobligemebyaskingherifshehasanythingonhermind。"
　　Dr。Snellbowedaloftyassent；for，toreceiveahintfromalaymanwastoconferafavoronhim。
　　Themenofsciencewereclosetedfullhalfanhourwiththepatient。Shewastoobeautifultobeslurredover，evenbyabusydoctor:hefeltherpulse，lookedathertongue，andlistenedattentivelytoherlungs，toherheart，andtotheorgansuspectedbyWyman。Heleftheratlastwithakindlyassurancethatthecasewasperfectlycurable。
　　Atthedoortheyweremetbytheanxiousfather，whocamewiththrobbingheart，andaskedthedoctors'verdict。
　　Hewascoollyinformedthatcouldnotbegivenuntiltheconsultationhadtakenplace；theresultofthatconsultationwouldbeconveyedtohim。
　　"Andpray，whycan'tIbepresentattheconsultation?Thegroundsonwhichtwoablemenagreeordisagreemustbewellworthlisteningto。"
　　"Nodoubt，"saidDr。Snell；"but，"withasuperiorsmile，"mydearsir，itisnottheetiquette。"
　　"Oh，verywell，"saidLusignan。Buthemuttered，"So，then，afatherisnobody!"
　　Andthisunreasonablepersonretiredtohisstudy，miserable，andgaveupthedining-roomtotheconsultation。
　　Theysoonrejoinedhim。
　　Dr。Snell'sopinionwascommunicatedbyWyman。"IamhappytotellyouthatDr。Snellagreeswithme，entirely:thelungsarenotaffected，andtheliveriscongested，butnotdiseased。"
　　"Isthatso，Dr。Snell?"askedLusignan，anxiously。
　　"Itisso，sir。"Headded，"Thetreatmenthasbeensubmittedtome，andIquiteapproveit。"
　　Hethenaskedforapenandpaper，andwroteaprescription。HeassuredMr。Lusignanthatthecasehadnoextraordinaryfeature，whatever；hewasnottoalarmhimself。Dr。Snellthendroveaway，leavingtheparentratherpuzzled，but，onthewhole，muchcomforted。
　　AndhereImustrevealanextraordinarycircumstance。
　　Wyman'streatmentwasbydrugs。
　　Dr。Snell'swasbydrugs。
　　Dr。Snell，asyouhaveseen，entirelyapprovedWyman'streatment。
　　Hisownhadnothingincommonwithit。TheArcticandAntarcticpolesarenotfartherapartthanwashisprescriptionfromtheprescriptionhethoroughlyapproved。
　　Amiablescience!Inwhichcompletediversityofpracticedidnotinterferewithperfectuniformityofopinion。
　　AllthiswaskeptfromDr。Staines，andhewasentirelyoccupiedintryingtogetapositionthatmightleadtofortune，andsatisfyMr。Lusignan。Hecalledoneveryfriendhehad，toinquirewheretherewasanopening。HewalkedmilesandmilesinthebestquartersofLondon，lookingforanopening；heletitbeknowninmanyquartersthathewouldgiveagoodpremiumtoanyphysicianwhowasabouttoretire，andwouldintroducehimtohispatients。
　　No:hecouldhearofnothing。
　　Then，afteragreatstrugglewithhimself，hecalleduponhisuncle，PhilipStaines，aretiredM。D。，toseeifhewoulddoanythingforhim。Heleftthistothelast，foraverygoodreason:Dr。Philipwasanirritableoldbachelor，whohadassistedmostofhismarriedrelatives；but，findingnobottomtothewell，hadturnedrustyandcrusty，andnowwasapttoadministerkicksinsteadofcheckstoallwhowerenearanddeartohim。However，Christopherwastheoldgentleman'sfavorite，andwasnowdesperate；sohemusteredcourage，andwent。Hewasgraciouslyreceived——warmly，indeed。Thisgavehimgreathopes，andhetoldhistale。
　　TheoldbachelorsidedwithMr。Lusignan。"What!"saidhe，"doyouwanttomarry，andpropagatepauperism?Ithoughtyouhadmoresense。ConfounditallIhadjustonenephewwhoseknockatmystreet-doordidnotmakemetremble；hewasabachelorandathinker，andcameforafriendlychat；therestaremarriedmen，highwaymen，whocometosay，'Standanddeliver；'andnowevenyouwanttojointhegiddythrong。Well，don'taskmetohaveanyhandinit。Youareamanofpromise；andyoumightaswellhangamillstoneroundyourneckasawife。Marriageisagreatermistakethanevernow；thewomendressmoreandmanageworse。ImetyourcousinJacktheotherday，andhiswifewithseventypoundsonherback；andnextdoortopaupers。No；whilstyouareabachelor，likeme，youaremyfavorite，anddowninmywillforalump。Oncemarry，andyoujointhenoblearmyoffoot-pads，leeches，vultures，paupers，gonecoons，andbabblersaboutbrats——andIdisownyou。"
　　TherewasnohopefromoldCrusty。Christopherlefthim，snubbedandheart-sick。Atlasthemetasensibleman，whomadehimseetherewasnoshortcutinthatprofession。Hemustbecontenttoplaytheup-hillgame；mustsettleinsomegoodneighborhood；
　　marry，ifpossible，sincehusbandsandfathersoffamiliesprefermarriedphysicians；andsobepooratthirty，comfortableatforty，andrichatfifty——perhaps。
　　ThenChristophercamedowntohislodgingsatGravesend，andwasveryunhappy；andaftersomedaysofmisery，hewrotealettertoRosainamomentofimpatience，despondency，andpassion。
　　RosaLusignangotworseandworse。Theslightbutfrequenthemorrhagewasadrainuponhersystem，andweakenedhervisibly。
　　Shebegantoloseherrichcomplexion，andsometimeslookedalmostsallow；andaslightcircleshoweditselfunderhereyes。Thesesymptomswereunfavorable；nevertheless，Dr。SnellandMr。Wymanacceptedthemcheerfully，asfreshindicationsthatnothingwasaffectedbuttheliver；theymultipliedandvariedtheirprescriptions；themaladyignoredthoseprescriptions，andwentsteadilyon。Mr。Lusignanwasterrifiedbuthelpless。Rosaresignedandreticent。
　　Butitwasnotinhumannaturethatagirlofthisagecouldalwaysandatallhoursbemistressofherself。Oneeveninginparticularshestoodbeforetheglassinthedrawing-room，andlookedatherselfalongtimewithhorror。"IsthatRosaLusignan?"saidshe，aloud；"itisherghost。"
　　Adeepgroanstartledher。Sheturned；itwasherfather。Shethoughthewasfastasleep；andsoindeedhehadbeen；buthewasjustawaking，andheardhisdaughterutterherrealmind。Itwasathunder-clap。"Oh，mychild!whatshallIdo?"hecried。
　　ThenRosawastakenbysurpriseinherturn。Shespokeout。"Sendforagreatphysician，papa。Don'tletusdeceiveourselves；itisouronlychance。"
　　"IwillaskMr。WymantogetaphysiciandownfromLondon。"
　　"No，no；thatisnouse；theywillputtheirheadstogether，andhewillsaywhateverMr。Wymantellshim。La!papa，aclevermanlikeyou，nottoseewhatacheatthatconsultationwas。Why，fromwhatyoutoldme，onecanseeitwasmanagedsothatDr。Snellcouldnotpossiblyhaveanopinionofhisown。No；nomoreechoesofMr。
　　Chatterbox。Ifyoureallywanttocureme，sendforChristopherStaines。"
　　"Dr。Staines!heisveryyoung。"
　　"Butheisveryclever，andheisnotanecho。Hewon'tcarehowmanydoctorshecontradictswhenIamindanger。Papa，itisyourchild'sonechance。"
　　"I'lltryit，"saidtheoldman，eagerly。"Howconfidentyoulook!
　　yourcolorhascomeback。Itisaninspiration。Whereishe?"
　　"IthinkbythistimehemustbeathislodgingsinGravesend。
　　Sendtohimto-morrowmorning。"
　　"NotI!I'llgotohimto-night。Itisonlyamile，andafineclearnight。"
　　"Myown，good，kindpapa!Ah!well，comewhatmay，Ihavelivedlongenoughtobeloved。Yes，dearpapa，saveme。Iamveryyoungtodie；andhelovesmesodearly。"
　　Theoldmanbustledawaytoputonsomethingwarmerforhisnightwalk，andRosaleanedback，andthetearswelledoutofhereyes，nowhewasgone。
　　Beforeshehadrecoveredhercomposure，aletterwasbroughther，andthiswastheletterfromChristopherStaines，alludedtoalready。
　　Shetookitfromtheservantwithavertedhead，notwishingittobeseenshehadbeencrying，andshestartedatthehandwriting；itseemedsuchacoincidencethatitshouldcomejustasshewassendingforhim。
　　MYOWNBELOVEDROSA，——Inowwritetotellyou，withaheavyheart，thatallisvain。Icannotmake，norpurchase，aconnection，exceptasothersdo，bytimeandpatience。Beingabachelorisquiteagainstayoungphysician。IfIhadawife，andsuchawifeasyou，Ishouldbesuretogeton；youwouldincreasemyconnectionverysoon。What，then，liesbeforeus?Iseebuttwothings——towaittillweareold，andourpocketsarefilled，butourheartschilledorsoured；orelsetomarryatonce，andclimbthehilltogether。IfyoulovemeasIloveyou，youwillbesavingtillthebattleisover；andIfeelIcouldfindenergyandfortitudeforboth。Yourfather，whothinkssomuchofwealth，cansurelysettlesomethingonYOU；andIamnottoopoortofurnishahouseandstartfair。Iamnotquiteobscure——mylectureshavegivenmeaname——andtoyou，myownlove，IhopeImaysaythatI
　　knowmorethanmanyofmyelders，thankstogoodschools，goodmethod，agenuineloveofmynobleprofession，andatendencytostudyfrommychildhood。Willyounotrisksomethingonmyability?Ifnot，Godhelpme，forIshallloseyou；andwhatislife，orfame，orwealth，oranymortalthingtome，withoutyou?
　　Icannotacceptyourfather'sdecision；YOUmustdecidemyfate。
　　YouseeIhavekeptawayfromyouuntilIcandosonomore。Allthistimetheworldtomehasseemedtowantthesun，andmyheartpinesandsickensforonesightofyou。
　　DarlingRosa，prayletmelookatyourfaceoncemore。
　　WhenthisreachesyouIshallbeatyourgate。Letmeseeyou，thoughbutforamoment，andletmehearmyfatefromnolipsbutyours——Myownlove，yourheart-brokenlover，CHRISTOPHERSTAINES。
　　Thisletterstunnedheratfirst。Hermindoflatehadbeenturnedawayfromlovetosuchsternrealities。Nowshebegantobesorryshehadnottoldhim。"Poorthing!"shesaidtoherself，"helittleknowsthatnowallischanged。Papa，Isometimesthink，woulddenymenothingnow；itisIwhowouldnotmarryhim——tobeburiedbyhiminamonthortwo。PoorChristopher!"
　　Thenextmomentshestartedupindismay。Why，herfatherwouldmisshim。No；perhapscatchhimwaitingforher。Whatwouldhethink?WhatwouldChristopherthink?——thatshehadshownherpapahisletter。
　　Sherangthebellhard。Thefootmancame。
　　"SendHarriettomethisinstant。Oh，andaskpapatocometome。"
　　ThenshesatdownanddashedoffalinetoChristopher。ThiswasforHarriettotakeouttohim。AnythingbetterthanforChristophertobecaughtdoingwhatwaswrong。
　　Thefootmancamebackfirst。"Ifyouplease，miss，masterhasgoneout。"
　　"Runafterhim——theroadtoGravesend。"
　　"Yes，miss。"
　　"No。Itisnouse。Nevermind。"
　　"Yes，miss。"
　　ThenHarrietcamein。"Didyouwantme，miss?"
　　"Yes。No——nevermindnow。"
　　Shewasafraidtodoanythingforfearofmakingmattersworse。
　　Shewenttothewindow，andstoodlookinganxiouslyout，withherhandsworking。Presentlysheutteredalittlescreamandshrankawaytothesofa。Shesankdownonit，halfsitting，halflying，hidherfaceinherhands，andwaited。
　　Staines，withalover'simpatience，hadbeenmorethananhouratthegate，orwalkingupanddownclosebyit，hisheartnowburningwithhope，nowfreezingwithfear，thatshewoulddeclineameetingontheseterms。
　　Atlastthepostmancame，andthenhesawhewastoosoon；butnowinafewminutesRosawouldhavehisletter，andthenheshouldsoonknowwhethershewouldcomeornot。Helookedupatthedrawing-roomwindows。Theywerefulloflight。Shewasthereinallprobability。Yetshedidnotcometothem。Butwhyshouldshe，ifshewascomingout?
　　Hewalkedupanddowntheroad。Shedidnotcome。Hisheartbegantosickenwithdoubt。Hisheaddrooped；andperhapsitwasowingtothisthathealmostranagainstagentlemanwhowascomingtheotherway。Themoonshonebrightonbothfaces。
　　"Dr。Staines!"saidMr。Lusignansurprised。Christopherutteredanejaculationmoreeloquentthanwords。
　　Theystaredateachother。
　　"Youwerecomingtocallonus?"
　　"N——no，"stammeredChristopher。
　　Lusignanthoughtthatodd；however，hesaidpolitely，"Nomatter，itisfortunate。Wouldyoumindcomingin?"
　　"No，"falteredChristopher，andstaredathimruefully，puzzledmoreandmore，butbeginningtothink，afterall，itmightbeacasualmeeting。
　　Theyenteredthegate，andinonemomenthesawRosaatthewindow，andshesawhim。
　　Thenhealteredhisopinionagain。Rosahadsentherfatherouttohim。Buthowwasthis?Theoldmandidnotseemangry。
　　Christopher'sheartgavealeapinsidehim，andhebegantoglowwiththewildesthopes。For，whatcouldthismeanbutrelenting?
　　Mr。Lusignantookhimfirstintothestudy，andlightedtwocandleshimself。Hedidnotwanttheservantsprying。
　　ThelightsshowedChristopherachangeinMr。Lusignan。Helookedtenyearsolder。
　　"Youarenotwell，sir，"saidChristophergently。
　　"Myhealthiswellenough，butIamabroken-heartedman。Dr。
　　Staines，forgetallthatpassedhereatyourlastvisit。Allthatisover。Thankyouforlovingmypoorgirlasyoudo；givemeyourhand；Godblessyou。Sir，IamsorrytosayitisasaphysicianI
　　inviteyounow。Sheisill，sir，very，veryill。"
　　"Ill!andnottellme!"
　　"Shekeptitfromyou，mypoorfriend，nottodistressyou；andshetriedtokeepitfromme，buthowcouldshe?Fortwomonthsshehashadsometerriblecomplaint——itisdestroyingher。Sheistheghostofherself。Oh，mypoorchild!mychild!"
　　Theoldmansobbedaloud。Theyoungmanstoodtrembling，andashypale。Still，thehabitsofhisprofession，andtheexperienceofdangersovercome，togetherwithacertainsenseofpower，kepthimup；but，aboveall，loveanddutysaid，"Befirm。"Heaskedforanoutlineofthesymptoms。
　　Theyalarmedhimgreatly。
　　"Letuslosenomoretime，"saidhe。"Iwillseeheratonce。"
　　"Doyouobjecttomybeingpresent?"
　　"Ofcoursenot。"
　　"ShallItellyouwhatDr。Snellsaysitis，andMr。Wyman?"
　　"Byallmeans——afterIhaveseenher。"
　　ThiscomfortedMr。Lusignan。Hewastogetanindependentjudgment，atallevents。
　　Whentheyreachedthetopofthestairs，Dr。Stainespausedandleanedagainstthebaluster。"Givemeamoment，"saidhe。"Thepatientmustnotknowhowmyheartisbeating，andshemustseenothinginmyfacebutwhatIchoosehertosee。Givemeyourhandoncemore，sir；letusbothcontrolourselves。Nowannounceme。"
　　Mr。Lusignanopenedthedoor，andsaid，withforcedcheerfulness，"Dr。Staines，mydear，cometogiveyouthebenefitofhisskill。"
　　Shelayonthesofa，justaswelefther。Onlyherbosombegantoheave。
　　ThenChristopherStainesdrewhimselfup，andthemajestyofknowledgeandlovetogetherseemedtodilatehisnobleframe。Hefixedhiseyeonthatreclining，pantingfigure，andsteppedlightlybutfirmlyacrosstheroomtoknowtheworst，likealionwalkinguptolevelledlances。
　　CHAPTERIII。
　　Theyoungphysicianwalkedsteadilyuptohispatientwithouttakinghiseyeoffher，anddrewachairtoherside。
　　Thenshetookdownonehand——theleft——andgaveithim，avertingherfacetenderly，andstillcoveringitwithherright；"For，"
　　saidshetoherself，"Iamsuchafrightnow。"Thisopportunereflection，andherheavingbosom，provedthatsheatleastfeltherselfsomethingmorethanhispatient。Herprettyconsciousnessmadehistaskmoredifficult；nevertheless，heonlyallowedhimselftopressherhandtenderlywithbothhispalmsonemoment，andthenheenteredonhisfunctionsbravely。"Iamhereasyourphysician。"
　　"Verywell，"saidshesoftly。
　　Hegentlydetainedthehand，andputhisfingerlightlytoherpulse；itwaspalpitating，andafallacioustest。Oh，howthatbeatingpulse，bylove'selectriccurrent，sethisownheartthrobbinginamoment!
　　Heputherhandgently，reluctantlydown，andsaid，"Obligemebyturningthisway。"Sheturned，andhewincedinternallyatthechangeinher；buthisfacebetrayednothing。Helookedatherfull；and，afterapause，puthersomequestions:onewasastothecolorofthehemorrhage。Shesaiditwasbrightred。
　　"Notatingeofpurple?"
　　"No，"saidshehopefully，mistakinghim。
　　Hesuppressedasigh。
　　Thenhelistenedathershoulder-bladeandatherchest，andmadeherdrawherbreathwhilehewaslistening。Theactsweresimple，andusualinmedicine，buttherewasadeep，patient，silentintensityabouthiswayofdoingthem。
　　Mr。Lusignancreptnearer，andstoodwithbothhandsonatable，andhisoldheadbowed，awaitingyetdreadingtheverdict。
　　Uptothistime，Dr。Staines，insteadoftappingandsqueezing，andpullingthepatientabout，hadnevertouchedherwithhishand，andonlygrazedherwithhisear；butnowhesaid"Allowme，"andputbothhandstoherwaist，morelightlyandreverentlythanIcandescribe；"Nowdrawadeepbreath，ifyouplease。"
　　"There!"
　　"Ifyoucoulddrawadeeperstill，"saidhe，insinuatingly。
　　"There，then!"saidshe，alittlepettishly。
　　Dr。Staines'seyekindled。
　　"Hum!"saidhe。Then，afteraconsiderablepause，"Areyoubetterorworseaftereachhemorrhage?"
　　"La!"saidRosa；"theyneveraskedmethat。Why，better。"
　　"Nofaintness?"
　　"Notabit。"
　　"Ratherasenseofrelief，perhaps?"
　　"Yes；Ifeellighterandbetter。"
　　Theexaminationwasconcluded。
　　Dr。StaineslookedatRosa，andthenatherfather。Theagonyinthatagedface，andthelovethatagonyimplied，wonhim，anditwastotheparentheturnedtogivehisverdict。
　　"Thehemorrhageisfromthelungs"——
　　Lusignaninterruptedhim:"Fromthelungs!"criedhe，indismay。
　　"Yes；aslightcongestionofthelungs。"
　　"Butnotincurable!Oh，notincurable，doctor!"
　　"Heavenforbid!Itiscurable——easily——byremovingthecause。"
　　"Andwhatisthecause?"
　　"Thecause?"——hehesitated，andlookedratheruneasy——"Well，thecause，sir，is——tightstays。"
　　Thetranquillityofthemeetingwasinstantlydisturbed。"Tightstays!Me!"criedRosa。"Why，IamtheloosestgirlinEngland。
　　Look，papa!"And，withoutanyapparenteffort，shedrewherselfin，andpokedherlittlefistbetweenhersashandhergown。
　　"There!"
　　Dr。Stainessmiledsadlyandalittlesarcastically:hewasevidentlyshyofencounteringtheladyinthisargument；buthewasmoreathiseasewithherfather；soheturnedtowardshimandlecturedhimfreely。
　　"Thatiswonderful，sir；andthefirstfourorfivefemalepatientsthatfavoredmewithit，mademedisbelievemyothersenses；butMissLusignanisnowaboutthethirtiethwhohasshownmethatmarvellousfeat，withacalmcountenancethatbeliestheherculeaneffort。Naturehasherevery-daymiracles:aboa-constrictor，diameterseventeeninches，canswallowabuffalo；awoman，withherstaysbisectingheralmost，andlaceratingherskin，canyetforonemomentmakeherselfseemslack，todeceiveajuvenilephysician。Thesnakeisthemiracleofexpansion；thewomanistheprodigyofcontraction。"
　　"Highlygratefulforthecomparison!"criedRosa。"Womenandsnakes!"
　　Dr。Stainesblushedandlookeduncomfortable。"Ididnotmeantobeoffensive；itcertainlywasaveryclumsycomparison。"
　　"Whatdoesthatmatter?"saidMr。Lusignan，impatiently。"Bequiet，Rosa，andletDr。Stainesandmetalksense。"
　　"Oh，thenIamnobodyinthebusiness!"saidthiswiseyounglady。
　　"Youareeverybody，"saidStaines，soothingly。"But，"suggestedhe，obsequiously，"ifyoudon'tmind，Iwouldratherexplainmyviewstoyourfather——onthisonesubject。"