“Is he—will he——?” faltered Jerry.
“He will recover, unless some complication sets in,” was the answer. “The operation was a complete success. Oh, it was worth watching, to witness the masterly manner in which Dr. Wright worked! I am under obligations to you boys for giving me the opportunity.”
“It is we who are in your debt,” responded Jerry. “Can we see him?”
“Oh, indeed no. He has not come out of the ether yet. I doubt if you can see him before to-morrow noon. You had best go to bed. The doctor and the nurses will look after him.”
And, worn out with their nights’ vigils—Jerry and Bob from their long trips, and Ned and Andy from watching—they all felt the need of rest and sleep. But sleep came only fitfully at first, until, toward morning, when they all fell into heavy slumber.
They were awakened by Dr. Brown at their tent.
They found the professor paler and thinner than before, but looking better in spite of that, for he was out of pain. The relief of the operation, given under merciful insensibility of ether, had delivered him from the grip of pain.
“I—I want to talk to you, Jerry,” he said, faintly.
“Not too much,” cautioned Miss Payson.