The Young Doctor seemed to reflect, and his face became urbane, because he saw he must proceed warily, if he was to be of service to his new patient.
“Yes,” he said emphatically, “she appears to have help enough. I must think over her case and see her again to-morrow.”
The old man’s look suddenly darkened. “Ain’t she better:”’ he asked.
“She’s not so much better that there’s no danger of her being worse,” the Young Doctor replied decisively. “I certainly must see her to-morrow.”
“Why,” the old man remarked, waving his splayed hand up and down in a gesture of emphasis, “she’s never been sick. She’s in and out of this house all day. She goes about with her animals like as if she hadn’t a care or an ache or pain in the world. I’ve heard of women that fancied they was sick because they hadn’t too much to do, and was too well off, and was treated too well. Highsterics, they call it. Lots of women, lots and lots of them, would be glad to have such a home as this, and would stay healthy in it.”
The Young Doctor felt he had made headway, and he let it go at that. It was clear he was to be permitted to come to-morrow. “Yes, it’s a fine place,” he replied convincingly. “Three thousand acres is a mighty big place when you’ve got farm-land as well as cattle-grazing.”
“It’s nearly all good farm-land,” answered the old man with decision. “I don’t believe much in ranching or cattle. I’m for the plough and the wheat. There’s more danger from cattle disease than from bad crops. I’m getting rid of my cattle. I expect to sell a lot of ‘em to-day.” An avaricious smile of satisfaction drew down the corners of his lips. “I’ve got a good customer. He ought to be on the trail now.” He drew out a huge silver watch. “Yes, he’s due. The party’s a foreigner, I believe. He lives over at Slow Down Ranch—got a French name.”
“Oh, Giggles!” said the Young Doctor with a quick smile.
The old man shook his head: “No, that ain’t the name. It’s Guise-Orlando Guise is the name.”
“Same thing,” remarked the Young Doctor. “They call him Giggles for short. You’ve seen him of course?”