“For some days!” she echoed in dismay. “But we cannot stay here so long a time.”
“No,” I agreed, “certainly not—but first let us bandage the ankle.”
But my face fell as I glanced about the room.
“What do you require for a bandage?” she asked, following my eyes.
“A strip of clean cloth—the longer the better. But clean cloth in a hovel like this!”
She colored slightly as she looked down at me.
“If you will turn your back for a moment,” she said, “I think I can supply the bandage.”
I walked over to the corner where our involuntary host still squatted, cursing softly to himself, and stood before him. There was a sharp rip.
“How is this, doctor?” asked a voice; and I turned to see her holding out to me a strip of linen.
“Excellent!” I cried; and kneeling before her, I drew it tightly around the ankle. I rejoiced to see that the swelling had already decreased considerably, and I bent and kissed the little foot.