“He is eight.”
“He can’t know what he wants!”
“He knows,” she asserted tranquilly. “It’s a doctor he wants to be. I’ve been told yourself is the best doctor in it at all,[Pg 261] and I’ve brought the bye to ye to see will ye lave him study with ye.”
The doctor struggled against another outburst of laughter.
“I’m afraid—” he began.
“His father’ll be paying whativer is right for the larnin’,” said the woman. She paused a moment. “His father is a grand, rich man,” she went on. “Him an’ his wife is travelin’ in foreign lands, and they’ve lift the bye with me. It’s his nurse I am. Katie is me name.”
“See here, Katie!” said Dr. Joe, very kindly. “The child’s far too young. Later on, perhaps—”
“Doctor dear!” she interrupted with intense earnestness. “Will ye not lave him try? He’s to school in the mornin’s. Will ye not lave him be with ye in the afternoons, to be watchin’ the way ye’ll be healin’ the sick? Ye’d not know by lookin’ at him all that’s in his head. If ye’ll talk to him, drawin’ it out of him, ye’ll see!”
“I’m sorry, but it’s out of the question,” said Dr. Joe firmly. “When the boy’s parents come back, I’ll talk to them, and—”
“The one day!” said she. “Lave him stop here with ye the one day!”