"How could you think that?" said Esther.
"I dun know… you're a bit late, aren't you?"
"It often do make them that restless," said the clerk's wife. "But my poor old man is quiet enough—aren't you, dear?" The dying clerk could not answer, and the woman turned again to Esther.
"And how do you find him to-day?"
"Much the same…. I think he's a bit better; stronger, don't yer know. But this weather is that trying. I don't know how it was up your way, but down my way I never seed such a fog. I thought I'd have to turn back." At that moment the baby began to cry, and the woman walked up and down the ward, rocking it violently, talking loud, and making a great deal of noise. But she could not quiet him…. "Hungry again," she said. "I never seed such a child for the breast," and she sat down and unbuttoned her dress. When the young doctor entered she hurriedly covered herself; he begged her to continue, and spoke about her little boy. She showed him a scar on his throat. He had been suffering, but it was all right now. The doctor glanced at the breathless father.
"A little better to-day, thank you, doctor."
"That's all right;" and the doctor went over to William.
"Are you still determined to leave the hospital?" he said.
"Yes, I want to go home. I want to—"
"You'll find this weather very trying; you'd better—"