"Why?" Harvey asked acutely.
The doctor made an evasive reply. Harvey's face was dark.
"How much is it?" he said in a hollow voice, his hand going to his pocket as he spoke.
"Oh, that's not important—we'll just leave that till you're in the city again," said the kindly doctor, shaking Harvey playfully by the shoulder.
"I'd sooner pay it now, sir; I've got—I've got some money," declared the boy.
"Well, all right," returned the physician; "let me see—how would a dollar appeal to you? My charge will be one dollar," he said gravely.
Harvey was busy unwinding his little roll. "It's not very much," he said without looking up; "I thought 'twould be a lot more than that—I haven't got anything smaller than five dollars, sir."
"Neither have I—what a rich bunch we are," the doctor answered quickly; "I tell you—I'm liable to be up in Glenallen some of these days for a bowling match; I'll just collect it then," leading the way towards the door as he spoke, his farewell full of cordial cheer.
Neither mother nor son uttered a word till they were some little distance from the doctor's office. Suddenly the former spoke.
"The world's full of trouble, Harvey—but I believe it's fuller of kindness. It's wonderful how many tender-hearted folks there are. Wasn't it good of him?"