238 DOCTOR HUDSON'S SECRET JOURNAL
could be emancipated from such a dreary and stultifying
atmosphere.
Perhaps some cold-blooded psycho-analyst would suggest
that my wish to get Helen out of that glum and frustrating
home is not quite so altruistic as I have been making myself
believe. He might inquire if I wasn't more concerned about
rigging some good excuse to get her into our home. Very
well, professor, I'll admit it, if that tickles your vanity. If
Helen were in straitened circumstances I could propose
that she come to us as Joyce's companion and counsellor,
when her school days are over. As matters are, it would be
an impertinence to hint at such a thing. But I cannot think
of anything else that sounds the least bit plausible. I must
put this enchanting creature out of my thoughts.