"Your friend Major Strause is down with fever," she said: "I suppose you will take his case?"
Mollie coloured, and a wistful look came into her eyes.
"I think not," she answered.
"I will look after him if you wish," said Katherine eagerly.
"I should be so much obliged. I don't suppose he is very ill, and I cannot leave the surgical cases to-night."
Accordingly Katherine was the one who gave Major Strause his medicines, his cooling drinks and his other comforts. He bore with her for a time. There had been a moment when he would have given ten years of his life to have Katherine Hunt, the daughter of the millionaire, waiting on him. But his passion made him impervious to money just now, and he felt that if all the riches of the world were to be offered him with Katherine, and Mollie were to come to him penniless, he would choose her. But next best to Mollie was Katherine Hunt, and he determined, if possible, to make her his friend.
"Why does not Miss Kitty Hepworth do her share of the nursing?" he said towards morning, when Katherine had time to linger by his bedside for a moment.
"Because she is not strong enough. We have had to forbid her to come to the hospital," replied Katherine.
"She is a poor sort; don't you think so?" said the major.
"I certainly do not," replied Katherine, with some indignation.