“But I didn't tell you you might, Billy boy!”
“Had to,” said Billy.
“Well, you'll find you'll have to go back again, Billy. Come!” and the doctor stooped his broad strong shoulders to pick up the boy. But Billy beat him off weakly:
“Say, now, Doc, wait a minute,” he pleaded, “It's jus' this way. I simply gotta get back home t'day. I'm a very 'mportant witness in a murder case, See? My bes' friend in the world is bein' tried fer life, an' he ain't guilty, an' I'm the only one that knows it fer sure, an' can prove it, an' I gotta be there. Why, Doc, the trial's going on now an' I ain't there! It ud drive me crazy to go back an' lay in that soft bed like a reg'lar sissy, an' know he's going to be condemned. I put it to you, Doc, as man to man, would you stand fer a thing like that?”
“But Billy, suppose it should be the end of you!”
“I sh'd worry, Doc! Ef I c'n get there in time an' say what I want I ain't carin' fer anythin' more in life I tell ye. Say, Doc, you wouldn't stop me, would ya? Ef you did I'd get thar anyhow someway!”
The earnestness of the eager young face, wan in its illness, the light of love in the big gray eyes, went to the doctor's heart. He gave the boy a troubled look.
“Where is it you want to go, Billy?”
“Economy, Doc. It ain't far, only two or three hours' ride. I c'n get a jitney somewheres I guess ta take me. I'll pay up ez soon as I get home. I got thirty dollars in the bank my own self.”
“Economy!” said the Doctor. “Impossible, Billy, it would kill you—!”