The door was opened by the doctor himself, and a few words sufficed to explain matters to him.
‘I’ll be ready in a minute,’ said he, darting in the room and as suddenly returning, struggling his way into the arms of a great-coat. ‘Now then,’ exclaimed he, buttoning a single button, and dashing into the street, ‘which way?’
‘Where does she live?’ asked Harson. ‘I’ll go back and bring the nurse.’
Kornicker told him, and was hurrying off, when Harson touched his arm, and leading him a few steps aside, said in a low voice: ‘You seem somewhat straitened for money, Mr. Kornicker; I wish you would accept a loan from me.’ He extended a bank-note to him.
Kornicker buttoned his pockets up very closely, not omitting a single button, and then replied coldly: ‘I ask charity for others, not for myself.’
‘Come, come,’ said Harson, kindly, ‘you mustn’t bear malice. I did not act well toward you at first; you must forget it; and to show that you do so, you must take this loan from me.’
‘I don’t wish to borrow,’ replied Kornicker.
‘Well, I’m sorry for it,’ said Harson, taking his hand; ‘but you’re not angry?’
‘No no, old fellow; it’s not an easy matter to keep angry with you; you’re a trump!’
‘Perhaps you’ll sup with me when we return?’ said the old man, earnestly.