"Presently Miss Hudson came in and greeted me cheerfully. 'Why do you want Harley to have a dollar?' she asked.
"'Just for a tip,' I replied, wearily.
"'He is paid to do his work, and if some patients fee him, the poorer ones will suffer,' she said.
"'But I want him to have it, please. He told me your name,' I said.
"She paid no more attention to this foolish remark than if I had sneezed. Indeed, even less, for if I had sneezed she would have taken my pulse or my temperature. I watched her as she moved about the room seeing that all was clean and in order.
"'Miss Hudson,' I said, gaining courage, 'will you tell me what is going on in the world? Have you a New York paper?'
"'Yes, some papers have come for you,' she answered, 'and I will read to you for a little while, if you feel strong enough to listen. There is a letter, too. Shall I open it for you?'
"She drew a chair between my bed and the window, and, first of all, examined the letter.
"'From the New York News Syndicate,' she said.
"'Then it's only a check,' I sighed.