But his dream was disturbed by a knock at the door, and Edward awoke to find Dr. Ramsay shaking him.
“Wake up, man—get up and dress quickly.”
“What’s the matter?” cried Edward, jumping out of bed and seizing his clothes. “What’s the time?”
“It’s half-past four.... I want you to go into Tercanbury for Dr. Spocref; Bertha is very bad.”
“All right, I’ll bring him back with me.” Edward rapidly dressed himself.
“I’ll go round and wake up the man to put the horse in.”
“No, I’ll do that myself; it’ll take me half the time.” He methodically laced his boots.
“Bertha is in no immediate danger. But I must have a consultation. I still hope we shall bring her through it.”
“By Jove,” said Edward, “I didn’t know it was so bad as that.”
“You need not get alarmed yet—the great thing is for you to keep calm and bring Spocref along as quickly as possible. It’s not hopeless yet.”