“God,” she murmured again, putting her fist to her mouth to keep it from trembling, “help her!”
She heard the back door open and then close. That must be the doctor. The waiting was intolerable. She put away the stands and the lamps and chairs were back in their accustomed places. Anything to keep busy! Karl tiptoed into the room, “The doctor is with your mother.”
Judy nodded. He made her sit down and clumsily patted her shoulder.
At last Dr. Keene came into the room followed by Mr. Lurie.
The doctor smiled a greeting to Judy and told John to sit down. “I want to talk to you,” he said in his breezy voice.
“If you don’t mind, I’d rather stand. Shall I send the youngsters from the room?”
“No, they can stay. Perhaps Judy can be of some help and, anyhow, it will be necessary for her to understand her mother’s condition.”
“Yes, yes!” John said impatiently. “Go on!”
“You heard me tell Minna,” the doctor proceeded calmly, “there is no visible damage to her throat or her vocal cords.”
“I thought you just said that to prevent her worrying, for psychological reasons,” John interrupted.