"You think, don't you, that we will hear something definite this morning?"
"There is no telling."
"No, of course not. Nevertheless O'Connel can at least let us know whether Lola is worse or better."
"Yes, we ought to ascertain that."
"He wouldn't be such an idiot as to stand by and see the dog die, would he?"
"One never can predict just what another person will do. However, I feel sure you can trust O'Connel. I never knew him to bungle anything yet."
With that comfort Mr. Crowninshield was obliged to content himself.
Notwithstanding it, however, he began to pace nervously back and forth, and every time there was a sound in the room he would whisk about with the quick remark:
"Didn't you hear something?"
But although he fretted and fumed, strolled out the door and in again, no amount of impatience appeared to hurry matters.