Dr. Gazell (looks around uncomfortably; speaks with hesitation). Of course, Thorne would not have agreed with us.
Dr. Thorne (grips Dr. Gazell by the arm). I tell you it would be butchery, Gazell! What are you thinking of? Gazell!
Dr. Gazell. But he was a very opinionated man,—everybody knew that.
(Dr. Thorne drops Dr. Gazell’s arm and walks away with a gesture of distress.)
Second Nurse (to First Nurse; moves out from behind the screen). Very invigorating day!
First Nurse (to Second Nurse). Father Sullivan’s late with the Sacrament. I hope Norah, yonder, won’t get ahead of him. She’s ’most gone. (Approaching the cot of the patient behind the screen.)
Second Nurse (moves away). Yes. She’s been unconscious half an hour.
Enter Priest. (He advances to offer Extreme Unction to the dying patient.)
First Nurse. Lovely morning, Father.
Dr. Thorne (standing in the middle of the ward). They used to call my name when I came in. “Oh, there’s the doctor!” “The doctor’s come!” It ran from cot to cot—like light. And everybody used to smile. Seems to me some of them blessed me. Now—