“Yes, sir; worse.”
“Can’t help it. Well, that?”
“Oh! that’s worse of all, sir.”
“Humph! Now then, take a good, long, deep breath.”
Steve obeyed.
“Now another, deeper and longer. Draw the air well in after an outward breath, to empty the lungs. Hah! that’s better. Well, there are no broken rib ends piercing the lungs.”
“Oh no, I hope not!” cried Steve anxiously. “The ribs are broken, then?”
“Not they. All sound as mine are. There, that will do; get on your jacket.”
Steve began, but the pain the act gave him turned him sick, and seeing this the doctor helped him.
“There must be something the matter, sir,” he said, rather piteously, “or it wouldn’t hurt like this.”