"Der rheumatiz'."
"Where?"
"In my leg. In der same oldt blace. Ach!"
An expression of puzzled pain came to Gusta's face.
"Why," she said half-fearfully, "how can it--now?" She looked at the nurse. The nurse smiled again, this time with an air of superior knowledge.
"They often have those sensations," she said, laughing. "It's quite natural." Then she bent over Koerner and said cheerily: "I'm going now, and leave you with your daughter and Miss Ward."
"Yes, pa," said Gusta, "Miss Elizabeth's here to see you."
She put into her tone all the appreciation of the honor she wished her father to feel. Elizabeth came forward, her gloved hands folded before her, and stood carefully away from the bed so that even her skirts should not touch it.
"How do you do, Mr. Koerner?" she said in her soft voice--so different from the voices of the nurse and Gusta.
Koerner turned and looked at her an instant, his mouth open, his tongue playing over his discolored teeth.