“Does it cost anything to talk to the doctor down there?”
“Forget it! Go right down and he’ll give you a card to the Victoria Clinic. I know them all over there and they’ll look you over right, little missy, and steer you. Aw, don’t be scared; there ain’t nothing much wrong with you—maybe a sore spot, that’s all. That cough ain’t a double-lunger. You run over to the clinic.”
“I gotta go back to the store now.”
“After store, then.”
“Free?”
“Sure! Old Doc Strauss is on after five too. If I ain’t too nervy I’m off after six myself. I could meet you after and we could talk over what he tells you—if I ain’t too nervy?”
“I—”
“Blaney’s my name—Eddie Blaney. Ask anybody round here about me. I—I could meet you, little missy, and—”
“I can’t to-night, Mr. Blaney. I gotta go somewheres.”
“Aw!”