“I heard her!” he said, in a choked voice, “she said she wanted me——”
“Come,” said Nan, and led the way.
Softly Farnsworth stepped inside the door, gently as a woman he took Patty’s thin little hand in his two big strong ones, as he sat down in a chair beside her bed.
“Little Billee,” and Patty smiled faintly, “I want somebody to strong me—I’m so weak—you can——”
“Yes, dear,” and firmly holding her hand in one of his, Farnsworth softly touched her eyelids with his fingertips, and the white lids fell over the blue eyes, and with a contented little sigh, Patty sank into a natural sleep, the first in many days.
Released from his nervous tension, the doctor’s set features relaxed. He looked in gratified amazement at the sleeping girl, and at the two astonished nurses.
“She will live,” he said, softly. “But it is like a miracle. On no account let her be awakened; but you may move, sir. She is in a sound sleep of exhaustion.”
Farnsworth rose,—laying down Patty’s hand lightly as a snowflake,—and soundlessly left the room.
Nan and Mr. Fairfield followed, after a moment.
They found the big fellow looking out of the hall window. At their footsteps, he turned, making no secret of the fact that he was wiping the tears from his eyes.