Eddie hesitated. "Ahem! Is—is she emaciated?"
"No more than might be expected."
"I—I hope she hasn't wasted very much."
"Skin and bones," said the doctor with the most professional bluntness.
Eddie mopped his brow. "You—you don't mean it! See here, doctor, you ought to advise very strongly against the—er—marriage at this time. Tell her it would kill her. The shock, I mean. I am willing to wait—GOD KNOWS, I am only too willing to wait—until she is strong and well and herself once more. Tell her—"
"Perhaps you would better talk it over with her father, Mr. Ten Eyck. I am not—"
"Her father—" began Eddie, but caught himself up.
"I would not answer for her safety if a postponement were even suggested. Her heart is set on it, my dear fellow. She will be strong enough to go through with it."
"But I want to be married in church."
"I daresay you will agree with me when I say that your feelings are not to be considered in a crisis of this kind," said the doctor coldly, and moved away.