Early in September George arrived. Reuben's face kindled when the doctor told him he had escaped Georgina.
The doctor, however, did not look pleased.
"Perhaps now you have enough boys?" he said rather truculently.
"Well, there's six...."
"I hope that's enough to satisfy you. Because there won't be any more—— She's dying."
"Dying!"
He repeated the word almost stupidly.
"Yes"—said Dr. Espinette. He did not feel inclined to mince matters with Backfield.
"But—but—can't you do anything for her, surelye?"
"I'm afraid not. Of course, one can never speak with absolute certainty even in a case like this. But——" and the doctor wasted some medical technicalities on Reuben.