“What does a medical man know about life? Ever been poor and discriminating?” Then she threw the gesture back at him and ordered, “What’s the story?”
He swallowed twice and said:
“You are in this hospital because your father is supposed to be a medical man in a distant city, Newark, New Jersey, to be exact, and a friend of mine. You are recorded as the victim of a bus accident. The bus went ahead with your luggage and pocketbook. Your name is Sophie Merriweather. As for your injuries, I’m not certain myself ... yet.” His words were beginning to clip. “Does that satisfy you?”
The girl shut her eyes and lay silent. A minute later she opened them, cocked her head upon one side and gazed critically down her chin, at her body. Then she looked reprovingly at Cub Sterling:
“So-ph-ie. How could you? Sophie Merriweather, Newark, New Jersey! I haven’t got the breastworks for a Sophie!”
The belligerence flew from Cub’s face and his eyes began to dance:
“Breastworks, or no breastworks, madam, Sophie you are and Sophie you remain until you are well ... or else a famous elderly medical man and I get kicked in the pants....”
Without looking at him, she replied:
“You appeal to my finer feelings! I’ll be Sophie forever, Doctor, if you’ll promise me that the Attorney-General gets the kick and I get a cigarette, immediately!”
Cub’s mouth and feet twitched. He rose and became professional: