"Well, abide the consequences, then," said Dr. Slaughter; and he left the house in a huff, followed reluctantly by his companion and Richardson.
The parents looked at each other, after they had gone, in doubt and dread. There lay the boy, nothing done as yet, and every moment of delay, increasing the difficulty of cure and augmenting the danger.
"Shall I harness up, wife, and go to B. after Dr. Loring, or to M. after Dr. Blake?"
"They will probably refuse to do anything but amputate. No, husband. Let us send for Mr. Richardson."
"O, do, mother," said Frank; "he's better than all the other doctors in this world, and he loves me."
"It is not likely he would do anything," replied the father. "We asked his opinion, and he wouldn't give any."
"To be sure he wouldn't before them. I know that he didn't think the limb ought to be taken off—saw it in his looks. I don't believe Dr. Ryan did, either, only Dr. Slaughter has got him under his thumb."
Rich was eating his supper when Mr. Merrill came for him, and shoving back his plate, went with him directly.
"Mr. Richardson," said the mother, "there is no one here but ourselves. Please to speak freely. Do you think it is necessary or best to cut off Frank's leg?"