He went into the other room and sat down, while the nurse quickly cleared up the poor woman's things, and put the kettle on for a cup of tea for her dear doctor, who however sat very silent, his heart rising in imploring supplication that this soul might be plucked as a brand from the burning.
He drank his tea almost in silence, after motioning to the nurse to take hers.
"You will need your strength, I expect," he said, "so eat a good tea."
He asked her a few questions as to other cases she had in her charge, and then they sat silent again; while the doctor drew out his Bible and read it near the window, to catch the remaining light in that dull little street.
By-and-by he looked at his watch, and went into the other room with the nurse. The woman and her babe still slept the sound sleep of the utterly exhausted.
Doctor Arundel poured a little beef-tea, which had been kept warm on the hob, into a teacup, and going to the bedside with it, he began to raise the poor creature's head.
"Let me sleep," she murmured, burying her face deeper in her pillow.
"After you have swallowed this nice beef-tea," said the doctor.
She still resisted obstinately, and he tried another plan. "If you don't take it, as I wish, you will wake your baby up, and what a pity that would be!"
"Oh, don't wake her for the world!" murmured the woman, yielding slightly to their touch.