“Infirmary,” said Miss Selina. “Dr. Bannister, house surgeon, attends daily from ten till one.”
“It would be the prettiest and kindliest occupation,” said Miss Sarah, “as well as a useful one.”
“That’s the whole point of it,” said Miss Selina.
And that is how—five or six years ago—the Miss Bannisters’ brother came to open the Dolls’ Infirmary. But he did not stop short at mending dolls. He mended all kinds of other things too; he advised on the length of tails for kites; he built ships; he had even made fireworks.
Roy walked into Dormstaple at about one o’clock, very tired and hot and dusty and hungry; and a little later, after asking his way more than once, he stood on the doorstep of the Miss Bannisters’ house. The door was opened by old Mary, and as the flavor of roast fowl rushed out, Roy knew how hungry he was. “I want to see the Miss Bannisters’ brother,” he said, “please.”
“You’re too late,” was the answer. “Come to-morrow morning. Mr. Theodore never sees children in the afternoon.”
“Oh, but I must,” Roy almost sobbed.
“Chut, chut!” said old Mary, “little boys shouldn’t say must.”
“But when they must, what else is there for them to say?” Roy asked.
“Chut, chut!” said old Mary again. “That’s imperent! Now run away, and come to-morrow morning.”