"I never dreamed he was a doctor! I talked away like a graphophone, and he told me about many children worse than I am who were cured, just think!"
"Oh, Ivy, Ivy, he'll cure you then!" cried Alene with a quick breath of ecstasy.
Ivy's joy subsided; the tears came in her eyes.
"But I guess it would cost a fortune," she said dejectedly.
Shortly after lunch Dr. Medway, sauntering along the walk enjoying a cigar and escorted by Prince, who had taken a fancy to him, was arrested by a voice.
"I beg your pardon, sir, but are you Dr. Medway?"
"I am. What can I do for you, young man?"
"Ivy, the little lame girl—I'm her brother, Hugh Bonner—you told her about so many cures—Oh, sir, if you would undertake to cure her—why, I haven't any money now, but I'd pay you some day if it took me a lifetime, and I'd—I'd work my fingers to the bone for you!" cried the lad, forgetting in his earnestness the dignified speech he had prepared, and speaking with all the intensity of his long-cherished desire.
"You are a good brother, Hugh, my lad, but I'm not a Shylock. I heard of the little girl before I came here. I shall see your mother about her to-morrow; and be assured the main thing is to cure Ivy—nothing else matters!" and the doctor gave Hugh's hand a vigorous grip.