“You gave poor Ito quite a fright. Fortunately I was able to come at once. Don’t worry, you’ll be all right in a few minutes. Here, take this.”
He held a spoon to her lips and she swallowed the cloudy liquid obediently.
“That’s a good girl. Now don’t talk. Just lie back quietly and see if you can sleep. I shan’t leave you till you’re able to fend for yourself.” He sat down beside the bed and took her wrist in sturdy brown fingers.
“You’re so good,” she whispered tremulously. “And I’m such a nuisance.”
“Didn’t I say not to talk?” The tone was gruff, but his fingers tightened about the frail wrist.
“I’ll—be good.” The low voice broke. A moan issued from quivering lips. “Oh, oh, I cannot bear it! I cannot bear it,” she sobbed. Her breast rose and fell in stormy gasps.
The young doctor leaned over her. “Don’t, don’t, you will hurt yourself! What is the matter? Tell me about it, perhaps I can help!”
“I cannot bear it!” The sobs rose wildly.
Brown face drained of color, he put his arms about the slight body and pillowed her head on his breast. “There, there, cry it out if you must. There’s no one but me to hear you.”
“Oh, oh, oh!” The slight body writhed in a renewed gust. “What shall I do? What will become of us all?”