“Oh! We wanted him to come down to see my sister.”
“He was up all last night and is not able to come—”
“Can I just talk to him about her?”
Mary sighed. To rouse him from his sorely needed sleep was too cruel. Then she spoke. “I must not disturb him unless it is absolutely necessary. I shall be sitting here awake—call me again in a little while if you think it necessary.”
“A—l—l r—i—g—h—t—” and a sob came distinctly to the listener's ear.
This was too much for Mary. “I'll call him,” she said hurriedly and went to the bedroom.
With much difficulty she roused him. He threw back the covers, got up and stumbled to the 'phone.
“Hello..... Yes..... They didn't? Is she suffering much?.... All right, I'll be down in a little bit.”
Mary groaned aloud. She had vowed to protect him though fiery darts be hurled. But the sob in the voice of a frightened young girl was more potent than any fiery dart could have been and had melted her at once. Slowly but surely the doctor got himself into his clothes.
“I don't think there's any use of my going down there again, but I suppose I'll have it to do.” When he returned an hour later, he said, “Just as I thought—they were badly scared over nothing. I shouldn't wonder if they'd rout me out again before morning.”