"I will tell her," said Mrs. Tarbell.
"I could tell her myself," said the doctor. "To be sure. Well, if I could only inform her lawyer what I've done for him, he might induce my fair patient to employ me permanently." He smiled at his joke, shook his head waggishly, and turned to look for his hat.
As Mrs. Tarbell looked after him in some perplexity, John, the office-boy, came back to report that the carriage was engaged and at the door; and Mrs. Stiles was presently carried down-stairs again, it being quite impossible for her even to limp.
But before she was lifted up she turned her head and beckoned to Mrs.
Tarbell.
"Could I," she said,—"could I have a case against the railway company?"
"Ye-es,—I suppose so," Mrs. Tarbell answered.
"Did they say it was the fault of the conductor that I fell off that car?"
"Of the driver,—yes."
"Well, then, ma'am, would you advise me to bring a case against them?"
"You had better decide for yourself," said Mrs. Tarbell faintly. But then, remembering that it was her duty to advise, she added, "Yes, I think you ought to sue."