The Old Sailor winked craftily at Joshua, and said, "All I've got to say is, that it might come to pass or it mightn't."
And try as he would, that was all the satisfaction Joshua could obtain from the Old Sailor.
In the mean time Basil Kindred's condition had become so serious, that he was unable to leave his room, and he was unreasonably obstinate in his refusal to see a doctor. He knew well enough what was the matter with him, he said, and doctors could not relieve him. But one day, urged by Dan, Minnie brought a doctor to his bedside without consulting him.
"Your daughter brought me," said the doctor, seeing that Basil was displeased, and wisely judging that mention of his daughter would calm him.
Basil called Minnie to him and kissed her. "Go out of the room, child," he said; "what passes between me and the doctor must be private."
Minnie obeyed, and went down stairs to sit with Dan, and the doctor remained with his patient for half an hour. As the doctor came down, Minnie opened the door of Dan's room, and the doctor entered.
"Well, sir?" asked Dan.
"Your father is suffering from rheumatism and low fever," said the doctor, addressing Minnie. "I have left a prescription in his room; run and get it."
Minnie went up stairs, and the doctor said to Dan, "You are very anxious about Mr. Kindred."
"Yes, sir, very anxious, both for his sake and for Minnie's."