So three more buds were chosen from the vase, and Doodles happily watched them go.
The lad’s idea of the operating room had been gained from Mrs. Corrigan’s description,—“A horrud place down in th’ basemint—ugh! ut sure gives me th’ crapes ivery time I think iv ut!” So he was totally unprepared for the large, beautiful room on the same floor, finished all in white, with sunshine streaming in at the windows; and its glass-topped tables, their jars and bowls of shimmering crystal filled with liquids of bewitching colors—oh, it was so different from what he had imagined! And he discovered, too, that the dreaded table itself was more like a high couch, where he had a little pillow for his head and was made very comfortable indeed. The smiling man in spotless white, who gave him a cordial greeting—Doodles was sure it must be Dr. Keith, who Polly had said was “nice.”
Things went along much as Polly had told him, and presently a little frilled white cap was put over his hair, and every tiny ringlet tucked in. Meantime he was surprised and amused at the appearance of others in the room. The head nurse, Miss Price,—he was certain it must be she,—was all in white from top to toe, only her dark, happy eyes being left uncovered. The younger nurse was in white, too; but her face was not hidden, and she smiled out at him from the curious white “sunbonnet” on her head. He wondered why they dressed in such a queer fashion—it was like the masquerade parties that Leona had told him about.
While he was wondering, a damp cloth was laid over his eyes,—“To keep them from smarting,” the pleasant voice of the Doctor said.
“Now I am going to give you some laughing gas,” Dr. Keith went on, “so you won’t know anything about it. Breathe easily—that is all!”
He did as he was bidden, and found it to be just as Polly had declared; whatever it was over his nose and mouth was not uncomfortable, and he could breathe as well as ever. Something began to whirl in his head.
“Feel a little bit sleepy?” asked the Doctor.
“Not sleepy, only whirly,” was the answer.
The whirl went a little higher, almost to the edge of his hair—then there was a rustle at his side. “They can’t put me to sleep, after all!” Doodles thought, and opened his eyes. He saw an electric light fixture—it looked like the one in his little white room! Somebody said—it sounded like Miss Eden:—
“Do you know me?”