“Come, Miss Jane, get up a smile to pay me for the good news I bring. Can you guess what this means?” holding an envelope close to her eyes.
“More blisters and fever mixtures, I suppose. Doctor, my poor side is in a dreadful condition.”
As she laid her hand over her left lung, she winced and groaned.
“How much would you give to have your brother’s hand, instead of mine, on your pulse?”
“All that I am worth! But my boy is in Europe, and can’t come back to me now, when I need him most.”
“No, he is in New York. You have been dreaming, and forget that he has reached America.”
“No, I never knew it. Salome, is there a letter?”
“No letter, but a dispatch announcing his arrival. I told you; but you must have fallen asleep while I was talking to you.”
“No such thing! I have not slept a wink for a week.”
“That is right, Miss Jane; scold as much as you like; it will do you no harm. But, meantime, let me tell you I have just heard from Dr. Grey, and he is now on his way home.”