Jules shrugged his shoulders and walked away. Then Marie came whispering, then young Michel, very much interested, as what boy would not be? It was Michel who offered to go for the doctor. “He will come, even if he is not a beast doctor,” he declared. “Oh yes, he will come when I tell him.”
Paulette looked at Jean. Should she allow this?
“Let him come,” advised Jean. “He may not be able to do much good, but he can perhaps give something that will cause sleep.”
So off Michel went to the village and came back with the old doctor who very tenderly examined Pom Pom, and then shook his head. “He cannot recover,” was his opinion. He looked sharply at Lucie. “My child,” he inquired, “how long have you been sitting there?”
“I don’t know,” returned Lucie, “but I do not want to move while Pom Pom needs me.”
Without further words the doctor lifted the little dog and laid him on the bed Paulette had prepared for him. “He will be better off there,” declared the doctor, “and you can sit by him. Brave little dog, I will not let you suffer.” Pom Pom moaned a little as the doctor gave the quieting drug, but was soon quiet again.
Lucie rose, feeling stiff from so long sitting in a cramped position. The doctor stood looking thoughtfully at the little dog, now very quiet. Paulette followed the doctor to the door to which he beckoned her. “There is about one chance in a hundred,” he told her. “I think there is a bit of shrapnel for which I should have to probe; otherwise blood poison will set in, if it has not done so already, and the little chap will be done for. The little girl will be worn out. Hers is a beautiful devotion only surpassed by that of the dog. If she will consent to allowing me to take the dog home with me where I have the necessary appliances, I will do my very best for him. Explain to her that it is the only chance, and that I hardly think he can be saved, but in my opinion it is worth while to try.”
Paulette returned to the room and reported what the doctor had said. “I cannot bear to let him go when I may never see him again,” Lucie spoke distressedly.
“But, my child, it must be very soon that you do part from him unless the doctor makes this effort.”
“I know, I know,” acknowledged Lucie.