“It ain’t fur me to say, Doctor. I was too mad at having my rest ruined and too scared myself to see, sir. It wasn’t till Dr. Mattus came that I could stand away from the wall, sir. When Dr. Cub ... begging your pardon, son ... Sterling got there I was all right again.
“I been in the hospital long as most of you and I seen death every day, but....”
“And we know how proud you are of the hospital, William,” Dr. MacArthur cut in, “and what a help you have always been to it. So you must promise me, upon your oath, before these gentlemen, that you will not repeat to any living soul a single word of what you know or suspect about the trouble.”
Dr. MacArthur drew the old man’s eyes to his and William replied:
“I promise, sir.”
“Thank you, William.”
Dr. Peters held the door open.
The old man started toward it and turned midway.
“Dr. MacArthur, do I ... do I...?”
“You do. Tonight and every night.”