“Why?”
By this time, they had entered the room and closed the door.
“Kase, Massa, it mout be ketchin’.”
“Have you ever before seen a case like this?”
“Not exac’ly, sah.”
“How long has he slept like this?”
Reuben gave a very correct account of Hernando’s condition since the evening previous—not even omitting the toddy, nor to deplore his own supposed carelessness. Not a single symptom was forgotten.
The physical examination over, during which Hernando remained limp, the doctor again turned to Reuben, “Has he ever spent any time out of the United States?”
Reuben did not know, but felt sure that Mr. De Vere would.
“That is all then, my good fellow. Let your patient sleep. This is an infectious disease, so be very careful to cleanse your hands with this”—handing him a prescription. “Use every precaution which an intelligent nurse should.” He then sought Mr. De Vere who anxiously awaited his verdict.