Steve nodded quickly. "Is there anything I can do?"
The doctor shook his head.
Somewhere a bell rang; a nurse's skirts rustled as she passed the door. Earle sat down, his hat on his knees, staring helplessly.
"F'ank?"
The thin little voice on the bed was shrill and complaining. The women's heads met above it.
"Mother's here. Mother's here, darling."
"A playmate?" asked the doctor.
Earle shook his head. "No; a dog."
"F'ank?"
Earle got up, went out of the room, down the corridor, out on the porch. He sank on a bench and buried his face in his hands.