"Dat's de way to steal a base off 'im," acceded the waif. "We'll show dese
guys wese oin't no bunch of easy grapes."

Scarcely was the purse concealed when a nurse appeared with a pail of
water and rolls of some cloth, and after her came the doctor.

"Now, my boy," he said, with a kindness and gentleness in his voice which
surprised Constance, "I've got to hurt you a little, and let's see how
brave you can be." He took hold of the left leg the ankle and stretched
it, at the same time manipulating the calf with the fingers of his other
hand.

The boy gave a cry of pain, and clutched Constance's arm, squeezing it so
as to almost make her scream; but she set her teeth determinedly and took
his other hand in hers.

At a word the nurse grasped the limb and held it as it was placed, while
the doctor took one of the rolls, and, dipping it in the water, unrolled
it round and round the leg, with a rapidity and deftness which had, to
Constance, a quality of fascination in it. A second wet bandage was wound
over the first, then a dry one, and the leg was gently laid back on the
litter. "Take his temperature," ordered the doctor, as he began to apply
strips of adhesive plaster to the injured ribs; and though it required
some persuasion by the nurse and Constance, the invalid finally was
persuaded to let the little glass lie under his tongue. His task
completed, Dr. Armstrong withdrew the tube and glanced at it.

"Dat medicine oin't got much taste, boss," announced the urchin,
cheerfully, "but it soytenly done me lots of good."