“How many cases?”
“Three or four hundred, at least. It’s got a good start. And more than that of measles. While he was in the business of suppressing, Mullins threw a lot of measles reports aside, too. I don’t like the prospect.”
“The first thing to do,” decided Mr. Clyde, with customary energy, “is to get Dr. Mullins out. I’ll call an emergency meeting of the Public Health League to-morrow. By the way, Julia has some matters to report from school.”
“Well, suppose we call an emergency meeting of our own of the Household Protective Association for to-morrow evening,” suggested Dr. Strong. “Since we’re facing an epidemic, we may as well fortify the youngsters as soundly as possible.”
Directly after dinner on the following evening the Association was called to order by Mr. Clyde, presiding. It was a full meeting except for Maynard, who had not returned for dinner. First Dr. Strong reported that the cultures from the throats of the family had turned out “negative.”
“So we don’t have to worry about that,” he remarked.
Whereupon Mrs. Clyde and her mother drew long breaths of relief.
“And now for the Committee on School Conditions,” said Mr. Clyde.
“All I’ve heard of in our school is measles,” announced Julia. “There’s a lot of the boys and girls away.”
“No diphtheria?” asked Mr. Clyde.