Meanwhile, the Miss Bannisters’ Brother had taken some tools and a tube of seccotine from his pocket, and he had lifted up Diana’s hair, cut a hole in her head, and was busily readjusting the machinery of her eyes. It was all done in five minutes, just as Christina was eating the last mouthful. “There,” he said, returning to the bedside, “that’s all right. It was a very simple operation, and didn’t hurt at all. I think our patient can see now as well as ever.”
Christina peered into Diana’s face with a cry of joy, and sank back on the pillow in an ecstasy of content.
Neither Mrs. Tiverton nor the Miss Bannisters’ Brother dared to move for some minutes. While they sat there the doctor tip-toed in. He crossed to the bed and looked at Christina. “She’s asleep,” he said. “Splendid! She’s all right now. It was sleep she wanted more than anything. Don’t let her hear a sound, nurse, for hours.”
They found Roy waiting for the news. When he heard it he jumped for joy. His mother caught him up and hugged him. “You thoughtful little imp!” she cried—and, turning to the doctor, told him the story. He went off, laughing. “I shall take my door-plate down when I get home,” he called out as he drove off, “and send it round to you, Bannister. You’re the real doctor.”
When the Miss Bannisters drove back they found tea all ready, and Mrs. Tiverton would not hear of their leaving without it. And when they did leave, an hour later, they were all fast friends.
VIII
Roy and Christina never think of going to Dormstaple now without calling at the red house.
THE ANTI-BURGLARS