ll his money； and Katherine had had to work for her living from an early age。 She had been just twenty…three when she had e to old Mrs Harfield as panion。
It was generally recognized that old Mrs Harfield was 〃difficult。〃 panions came and went with startling rapidity。 They arrived full of hope and they usually left in tears。 But from the moment Katherine Grey set foot in Little Crampton； ten years ago； perfect peace had reigned。 No one knows how these things e about。 Snake…charmers； they say； are born； not made。 Katherine Grey was born with the power of managing old ladies； dogs and small boys； and she did it without any apparent sense of strain。
At twenty…three she had been a quiet girl with beautiful eyes。 At thirty…three she an； with those same grey eyes； shining steadily out on the world with a kind of happy serenity that nothing could shake。
Moreover； she had been born with； and still possessed； a sense of humour。
As she sat at the breakfast…table； staring in front of her； there was a ring at the bell； acpanied by a very energetic rat…a…tat…tat at the knocker。 In another minute the little maid…servant opened the door and announced rather breathlessly：
〃Dr Harrison。〃
The big； middle…aged doctor came buzzing in with the energy and breeziness that had been fore…shadowed by his onslaught on the knocker。
〃Good morning； Miss Grey。〃
〃Good morning； Dr Harrison。〃
〃I dropped in early；〃 began the doctor； 〃in case you sh