“You will find coffee all ready on the side-table, doctor,” said Claude; “and there is a spirit lamp and the stand and glasses. There are cigars on the shelf; but you will let me sit up too?”
“To show that you have no confidence in your medical man.”
“Oh, no, no; but Mary and I might be of some use.”
“And of none at all to-morrow, my dears. You must both go to bed, and be ready to relieve me.”
“But is there anything else I can do to help you?”
“Yes; what I say—go to bed at once.”
Claude hesitated a few moments, and then walked quickly to the side of the mattress, knelt down, kissed her father lovingly, and then rose.
“Come, Mary,” she said. “And you will ring the upstairs bell if there’s the slightest need?”
“Of course, of course. There, good-night; I shall ring punctually at two.”
He shook hands, and the two girls left the room unwillingly, and proceeded slowly upstairs.