"Have you gone raving mad?" she inquired.
"No. I must put an end to Linn's activity or we'll be ruined. These workmen must be held in Omar, and you must help me do it."
"They have the right to go where they please."
"Of course, but Gordon will let them out as soon as he has crippled us. Tell me, would you like to be a trained nurse?"
"No, I would not," declared Eliza, vehemently. "I'm neither antiseptic nor prophylactic."
"Nevertheless, you're going to be one—Tom needs you."
"Tom? What ails him?"
"Nothing at this moment, but—wait until to-morrow." The physician's eyes were twinkling, and when he had explained the cause of his amusement Eliza laughed.
"Of course I'll help," she said. "But it won't hurt the poor fellow, will it?"
"Not in the least, unless it frightens him to death. Tom's an awful coward about sickness; that's why I need some one like you to take care of him. He'll be at the hospital to-morrow at three. If you'll arrange to be there we'll break the news to him gently. I daren't tackle it alone."