He rang the bell, gave the name, and they passed into the reception-room.
In a moment a white uniformed nurse entered—a woman of middle age, quiet and business-like.
"Mrs. Lorraine?" she asked.
"Yes," Stephanie answered.
"I am Mrs. Bangs, the head nurse, Mrs. Lorraine. Your husband has not regained consciousness, I am sorry to say. Doctor Wilton has been advised of your arrival and he'll see you just as soon as possible. Will you come into the resident physician's office and wait? It will be only a moment, I'm sure."
They crossed the corridor, were shown into the office, and the nurse went about her duties.
There is not much sentiment in a hospital attendant—at least toward those not patients—and the patients themselves are but cases in the abstract.
Stephanie looked at Pendleton and smiled.
"You see—I'm steady," she said, holding up her hand. "A trifle too steady for an injured man's wife, I fear—though, I suppose, they all know the state of our—affairs."
"Every one knows it—if they've read the newspapers," Pendleton returned.