"Will a second operation give her a chance?" Hope eagerly questioned.
"A fighting chance, we think."
"And without the operation—will she die?" asked Faith.
"She will suffer as her Lilac Lady suffered and go as she went. Perhaps in five years, perhaps in ten. Perhaps—one will tell the story."
A deep silence fell upon them. Mrs. Campbell sat with her head buried in her arms, and from the occasional convulsive shiver of her shoulders, they knew that she was crying. Was the situation then so desperate?
"Who will operate?" Hope's low-voiced question sounded like the notes of a trumpet through the stillness of the room.
"Dr. Shumway—"
"The minister's son?"
"Yes."