The doctor was very angry, and sadly disappointed; but he said no more, only went on with his lunch.
“Eat your dinner,” said Helen, after a time; and she leant over toward the boy, and whispered the words kindly.
He gave her a quick, grateful look, but he could not speak.
“Come, sir, eat your dinner,” said the doctor at last.
“Please, sir, I can’t,” the boy faltered.
“Why not?”
Dexter had to make another fight to keep down his tears before he could say—
“Please, sir, I never could eat my breakfast when I knew I was going to have the cane.”
The doctor grunted, frowned, and went on eating, while the boy directed a pitiful appealing look at Helen.
“Yes,” she said at last, “what do you want?”