"Take the elevator, even if you have to wait," Lucy said as they went
to the door.
Lawrence had chosen a room at the top of the building because the view
was good and it got the sun early in the morning, but now and then
walked up the stairs to see how fast he was recovering his strength.
After a minute or two, Lucy heard the elevator start and its harsh
rumble jarred her nerves. The electric lifts they use in Canada seldom
run silently, and the elevator had not been working well. Lucy was
annoyed that the sound disturbed her, and imagined she had not
recovered from the shock she got during their walk. She was nervous
and admitted that she did not like Lawrence to be out of her sight when
Walters was with him. She tried to persuade herself that this was
foolish, but could not banish her uneasiness. Then Mrs. Stephen looked
up.
"There's the train; I didn't hear it stop."
Lucy listened. She had forgotten the train for the last few minutes,
and it seemed to be going fast. The sharp snorting of the mountain
engine and rhythmic clang of wheels seemed to indicate that its long
climb had not been interrupted. The Montreal express did not stop at
the flag station unless the conductor was warned. She felt daunted as
she realized that Foster might not have come, and she had not told her
mother she had telegraphed for him.
A few minutes later she heard steps outside; then the door opened, and
she felt a thrill of satisfaction as Foster came in with Pete. He
looked grave and rather hot, as if he had been walking fast, but it was
strangely comforting to see him. Besides, she liked his big companion,
who waited with Scottish calm.
Foster bowed to Mrs. Stephen and then turned to Lucy.
"Is Lawrence all right?"
"Yes. He overtired himself this morning, but is better now."