"No," interposed Garret. "Took notice like other children for a few weeks, but afterwards the sight went. Do you think you can cure her?"
"I must make an examination first. It is impossible for me to give an opinion before then."
"Das is right, doctor. You vill zee the liddle Hilda at vonce. I would gif all my moneys if you could make her zee."
"You are very fond of her, Herr Schwartz?"
Tears came into the German's eyes, for after the manner of his nation he was emotional and sentimental and easily touched. "The liddle Hilda is the light of mine life," he said, in tones of deep feeling. "I haf lofed her for years, and she is to me mine own child. I am her zecond vater."
"Father and mother and everything else," jerked Garret. "Much better than a scamp like me."
"No, no," protested Schwartz, but with a ring of insincerity in his voice, which Ellis at once detected. "You are a goot man, mein frind."
"Can I see Miss Garret now?"
"Dis ferry moment," cried the German, getting up in a violent hurry. "Will you gome with me, doctor? And you, Garret?"
"I shall stay here, Schwartz. Better have as few in the room as possible, or Hilda will be nervous."