.
people who very sensibly call... one another... by their Christian
names, forget that my name is Ryland, and call me... Denise!"
"I should love to!" cried Helen Cumberly; "in fact, I wanted to do
so the very first time I saw you; perhaps because Mira Leroux always
referred to you as Denise"...
"May I also avail myself of the privilege?" inquired Dr. Cumberly with
gravity, "and may I hope that you will return the compliment?"
"I cannot... do it!" declared Denise Ryland, firmly. "A doctor ...
should never be known by any other name than... Doctor. If I heard any
one refer to my own... physician as Jack or... Bill, or Dick... I should
lose ALL faith in him at once!"
As the lunch proceeded, Dr. Cumberly gradually grew more silent, seeming
to be employed with his own thoughts; and although his daughter and
Denise Ryland were discussing the very matter that engaged his own
attention, he took no part in the conversation for some time. Then:
"I agree with you!" he said, suddenly, interrupting Helen; "the greatest
blow of all to Leroux was the knowledge that his wife had been deceiving
him."
"He invited... deceit!" proclaimed Denise Ryland, "by his... criminal
neglect."
"Oh! how can you say so!" cried Helen, turning her gray eyes upon the
speaker reproachfully; "he deserves--"
"He certainly deserves to know the real truth," concluded Dr.
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