"Sorry," said the surgeon, shaking his head. "No visitors allowed in this ward at night."
Two eyes, big and dark and beseeching, were raised to his. They shone from the white face and plead with him.
"Oh, doctor … please!" was all she said, but the eyes won her battle.
The nurse joined forces with the eyes. She looked past the surgeon.
"Very few in here to-night, Doctor Brandt," she urged.
"I wonder what would become of hospital rules if we left it to you nurses!" he protested, as he stepped aside and gently drew the girl within.
Down the dim aisle between the snowy beds we went, until the surgeon stopped at one, beside which sat a nurse, her fingers on the wrist of the bandaged occupant.
One bloodless hand picked feebly at the covering. The girl took this in both her own and pressed it to her cheek. Then stooping even lower, she cooed to the head on the pillow.
"The Big Train's pulled in …" muttered a far voice from between the bandages.
"Railroad man—isn't he?" inquired the surgeon of me.