“Four in her favour,” thought Leon, “that is something—and I feel hopeful ... sure!”
His heart seemed to leap with a mad jubilation. The life of the whole human race might have been in the balance. There, under his very eyes, hanging on a thread—a breath.
Time went on; Pepa had come back to watch and was walking up and down like a wounded lioness. She did not want to ask anything; it was enough to read their faces and note their actions. There was something new and fresh in the air—the circling of the universe seemed to have been suddenly reversed. The two men were visibly anxious, but not downcast.
“What is it?” asked the mother.
“Hope,” said Leon.
“Very little,” muttered Moreno.
Pepa clasped her hands in an ecstasy of thankfulness.
“Nay, do not allow yourself to be too sanguine,” said the doctor. “The reaction that has set in is not, so far, sufficient—far from it. It may be a delusive relief, like the former ones—go and lie down for a little while.”
“I! lie down; I, rest, when my baby is getting better?”
“But still....”