“Does she love her niece? I mean, would she do anything for Phyllis?”
Gale sat back in her chair and looked squarely at the Doctor.
“I don’t understand, Doctor. Why don’t you ask Phyllis these things? Why do you want to know?”
“Because——” Doctor Norcot laid her hand gently on Gale’s shoulder. “Because unless your friend has an operation she will never walk again—not as other girls.”
“Oh!” Gale shrank at the picture presented to her. Phyllis helpless! Phyllis never to run or dance or play with the girls again.
“But isn’t there something we can do? I’ll do anything!” she told the Doctor passionately. “Anything!”
“An operation will cost money. Unless she has it——”
“Unless she has it,” Gale echoed faintly. “How much would you charge for the operation, Doctor?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t perform it,” the Doctor said. “I’m not a surgeon. But we would have to get a good one—the best in the East. Otherwise she hasn’t a chance.”
“Have—have you told her?” Gale asked.