Hester did not try. She could not. Her hands and face were rigid. She looked at him in terror. "I shall have to scream in another moment," she whispered.
The old doctor picked her up, and carried her swiftly to her room, where Fräulein ministered to her.
At last he came down and found Mr. Gresley waiting for him at the foot of the stair.
"You are sure he is all right?" he asked.
"Sure. Fräulein is with, him. He got the turn at dawn."
"Thank God!"
"Well, I should say thank your sister, too. She saved him. I tell you, Gresley, neither you nor I could have sat all those hours without stirring, as she did. She had cramp after the first hour. She has a will of iron in that weak body of hers."
"I had no idea she was uncomfortable," said Mr. Gresley, half incredulous.
"That is one of the reasons why I always say you ought not to be a clergyman," snapped the little doctor, and was gone.
Mr. Gresley was not offended. He was too overwhelmed with thankfulness to be piqued.