“It was a nasty accident,” replied Georgia, with professional caution.
“What have you done to him?”
“Strapped up the broken ribs, and applied ice to the leg and slung it up.”
“Ugh, cruel creature! ice this cold night? I suppose it’s because you hate him so much?”
“Hate him? What nonsense! How could we hate a man who has got hurt in trying to save you? He’s so brave about it, too.”
“And he didn’t mind having you for a doctor?”
“Of course I was only helping Dr Tighe. But even if Mr Burgrave disliked my being there, he wouldn’t show it. When Dr Tighe told him he had better stay in this house until the splint is taken off, and not run the risk of jarring the limb, he looked at me, and said, ‘If my presence is not too troublesome to my kind surgeon here.’”
“And smiled at you like a father. I know,” said Mabel, with sleepy sarcasm. “Georgie,” she roused herself suddenly, “I want to know—how is——”
“Now, I will not answer another question to-night,” said Georgia resolutely. “I am going to read to you till you fall asleep.”
When Mabel awoke in the morning she felt oppressed by an intolerable burden. Body and mind seemed to be alike tired out, and it was an effort even to open her eyes. Georgia and Dr Tighe were in the room looking at her, and the sight of them reminded her that there was some question she wanted to ask, but she could not remember what it was.