The others shook their heads; but Doctor Morton persisted stubbornly. Finally Doctor Haley gave his ultimatum. “If she is sent for, I shall retire from the case.”
“Very well,” announced Doctor Morton evenly, “then I will take it myself.” He rose and went out into the vestibule where there was a telephone. Calling for the Beaubien cottage, he gave a peremptory order that Carmen come at once in the automobile which he was sending for her.
The Beaubien turned from the telephone to the girl. Her face was deathly pale.
“What is it, mother dearest?”
“They––they want––you!”
“Why––is it––is he––”
“They say he is––dying,” the woman whispered.
Carmen stood for a minute as if stunned. “Why––I––didn’t know––that there was––anything wrong. Mother, you didn’t tell me! Why?”
The Beaubien threw her arms around the girl. Father Waite rose from the table where he had been writing, and came to them.