"Yes. Like most of the poorer class, Miss Durant," explained the doctor,
"he has a great dread of the knife. To make him less frantic, I promised
that I would come to you with his wish; and though I would not for a
moment have you present at the actual operation, if you could yield so far
as to come to him for a few minutes, and assure him that we are going to
do it for his own good, I think it will make him more submissive."

"When do you want me?" asked Miss Durant.

"It is--I am to operate as soon as I can get back to the hospital, Miss
Durant. It has been regrettably postponed as it is."

The girl stood hesitating for a moment. "But what am I to do about my
dinner?"

Dr. Armstrong's eyes travelled over her from head to foot, taking in the
charming gown of satin and lace, the strings of pearls about her exquisite
throat and wrists, and all the other details which made up such a
beautiful picture. "I forgot," he said, quietly, "that society duties now
take precedence over all others." Then, with an instant change of manner,
he went on: "You do yourself an injustice, I think, Miss Durant, in even
questioning what you are going to do. You know you are coming to the boy."

For the briefest instant the girl returned his intent look, trying to
fathom what enabled him to speak with such absolute surety; then she said,
"Let us lose no time," as she turned back into the hall and hurried out of
the front door, not even attending to the doctor's protest about her going
without a wrap; and she only said to him at the carriage door, "You will
drive with me, of course, Dr. Armstrong?" Then to the footman, "Tell
Murdock, the hospital, Maxwell, but you are to go at once to Mrs. Purdy,