"There's no antidote for this poison," he answered.
"And do you feel any reason to doubt that the spring will see a change for the better?"
"Seasons have nothing to do with it. She is little likely to see another spring. The constitution has broken and the will power has gone. She feels no desire to go on living, and I cannot create that desire in her. Nor can any of her family."
"Have they tried?"
"Naturally. You do not imagine they want her to die. With anæmia a patient gets ups and downs, which flatter hope, or increase fear. But we are far past these stages of the ailment. Her vitality ebbs with increasing quickness, and I cannot stem the tide."
"Do you not feel that a second opinion might be desirable?"
"I have taken a second opinion. Mr. Nettleship, of Plymouth, saw her several weeks ago."
"I was not told of that."
"Possibly not. He came one evening and took even a more serious view of the case than I did. The event has proved he was correct. He has devoted special study to the disease."
"Nothing can be done, then, Dr. Briggs?"