[CHAPTER XV.]
A PRIVATE TALK.
"NOW," the doctor said, having bound up the crushed member, and ordered complete rest, "who is going to see after you, my good woman? There are to be no attempts at standing about, remember."
Mrs. Stuart was by this time looking somewhat sullen. She answered curtly, "Nobody; I'll do for myself."
"Can't," said Mr. Rawdon.
"I'm not going to be beholden to nobody," declared Mrs. Stuart.
"In that case, you will very soon have to be beholden to me—for amputating your foot," said Mr. Rawdon bluntly.
He was a particularly kind-hearted man, but he had not much patience with entire unreasonableness.
"Have you no friends who—"
"I've got no friends. 'Tisn't my way. I like to keep myself to myself," said Mrs. Stuart, in the tone of one stating a virtuous characteristic.