The whispers stopped; a thin and repeated cough, dry as
Sahara, attacked the silence, and eight eyes were vehemently cast down.
Cuckoo continued staring, folding her hands in her lap. The prickly
sensation increased, but she considered it now as a thing to be jumped
on. Recognizing that she was recognized, she was instantly moved to
play up to her part, and she longed to stare the four women out into
Harley Street. If the energy of a gaze could have achieved that object,
they must have backed through the doctor's plate glass into the area
forthwith. They were, in fact, most obviously moved, and their attitudes
expressed, by a community of lines, virtue rampant and agitation gules.
A shattering silence endured till Lawler appeared to bid two of these
virgins with lit lamps of self-righteousness to the consulting-room.
As they rose the two other ladies rose also and followed in their wake.
Lawler politely protested, but they were now to proclaim their beauty
of character.
"We should prefer to wait in another room," said the lady who had coughed
as a communication with heaven.
"Yes, another room," added the other, and as she spoke she half turned,
indicating the corner where Cuckoo sat.
Without a word Lawler showed them out and closed the door.
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