“But I have entire confidence in your ability to handle the case, sir. Your conduct in the matter has been admirable, and I see no reason why you should not continue to attend my son until–the end, one way or the other.”
“You understand, Governor,” said Dr. Slavens gravely, searching the old man’s face with steady eyes, “that there is no ground for good feeling or friendship between your son and me?”
The Governor nodded, averting his face, as if the acknowledgment gave him pain or shame. 327
“And in case that everything should not turn out to the happiest conclusion for him, I should not want to stand the chance of blame.”
“Quite sensible, but unnecessarily cautious, I tell you,” the Governor replied.
“I have done all that a better surgeon could have done,” pursued the doctor, “and I am quite willing to go ahead and do all that can be done until you can bring another physician here, to relieve me, or at least satisfy you that I have not allowed any feeling of man to man to stand between physician and patient.”
“Very well; I will telegraph to Cheyenne for a physician,” agreed the Governor, “since it is your wish. But I am entirely satisfied with, and trustful of you, sir. That I desire you to understand plainly.”
Dr. Slavens thanked him.
“I shall send for the other physician to act merely in an advisory capacity, and in no manner to relieve you of the case unless you desire to be relieved. But I think it will be to your interest to stand by me. I feel that I am under a certain obligation to you, more especially to Miss Gates, for my son’s––”
“We will not discuss that, if you please,” Dr. Slavens interrupted.