“I suppose we can—well, just sort of hint to Rose’s mother?” Betty asked.
“Not for the world—not for at least five months. If you let anyone know anything about it, you will run the risk of losing the treatment and Miss Rose will never regain her sight—which would be more than a pity. It would be a crime. I will tell you why I insist. The doctors about here are all madly jealous of me and are doing everything they can to make things disagreeable for me. They have made it impossible for me to keep these rooms after to-day, and they think they are rid of me for good. They don’t know of the rooms I have secured on Parrot Street, you see. And you come from South Paulding. Isn’t there a Dr. Mellen there?”
The girls admitted the fact.
“Well, it seems he is president of the county medical society which puts him in a position to be especially disagreeable. He’s a bigoted fellow, and between you and I, ignorant as he can be—that is, in all that pertains to the eyes. If he knew I was to be here once a week, Dr. Mellen would move heaven and earth until he drove me out. He’s got money and influence, and unfortunately I am poor. What with my soft heart and my scientific mind, I keep myself poor by my charity. Now with you I won’t really make a cent. I shall just cover what electricity my battery consumes.”
“You are awfully good,” declared Betty earnestly, “and we won’t say a word, of course. Only there’s one gentleman who doesn’t really belong in South Paulding. He hasn’t been there long and doesn’t associate with the people and when he wants a doctor goes way to Philadelphia. He is our best friend. May we tell just him? He’d never breathe it.”
“I am sorry, but I couldn’t risk it. You see there are others depending on me to heal their eyes also, and for their sake I must not take any risks. If you are not willing to give me your unconditional promise, I can’t do anything for you. If you will kindly hand me my card, we will say good-bye at once,” he said very severely.
“O no, sir!” cried Betty in alarm. “Of course we’ll promise. We wouldn’t be so selfish, with all the other people wanting treatment. I only——”
“Very well,” he said, smiling pleasantly, “then I’ll show you how much I appreciate your action. If you give me your promise, I will also give you mine. If you both give me your word, and if you come each week regularly, I will promise you solemnly to make the cure.”
“I promise,” said Betty fervently, and Rose repeated the words. Dr. Vandegrift opened the door with a flourish and shook hands with them. They passed through the parlor, where a woman waited with a child with bandaged eyes, and out into the dirty street again.