"Daddy's boy!" Brenton said, as bravely as he could.
The ghost of the smile grew a bit stronger, as Brenton sat down beside the crib and, after his custom of these later days, held out one brown forefinger. Instantly, the wan little claw closed around the finger, the baby nestled slightly, and then fell into a light doze.
The nurse's voice, when she spoke, failed to penetrate the doze.
"I called up Doctor Keltridge, and he said he had a broken hip to set at once. It may be two hours, before he can get here. He told me to keep up the stimulant."
"You have used it?"
"Once, while you were talking to Mrs. Brenton. It is nearly time, again."
"Did it——" Brenton's voice failed him utterly.
The nurse hedged.
"It is too soon yet to know. The second dose ought to show more."
But the second dose did not show, nor yet the third. After the fourth one, the nurse looked up.