She did not make any direct reply. "But I supposed that you only made
this distinction, as you call it, in cases where there is no immediate
danger; that in a matter of life and death you would waive it. Mrs.
Maynard is really--"

"There are no conditions under which I could not conscientiously refuse
to waive it."

"Then," cried Grace, "I withdraw the word! It is not ridiculous. It is
monstrous, atrocious, inhuman!"

A light of humorous irony glimmered in Dr. Mulbridge's eye. "I must
submit to your condemnation."

"Oh, it isn't a personal condemnation!" she retorted. "I have no doubt
that personally you are not responsible. We can lay aside our
distinctions as allopathist and homoeopathist, and you can advise with
me"--

"It's quite impossible," said Dr. Mulbridge. "If I advised with you, I
might be--A little while ago one of our school in Connecticut was
expelled from the State Medical Association for consulting with"--he
began to hesitate, as if he had not hit upon a fortunate or appropriate
illustration, but he pushed on--"with his own wife, who was a physician
of your school."

She haughtily ignored his embarrassment. "I can appreciate your
difficulty, and pity any liberal-minded person who is placed as you are,
and disapproves of such wretched bigotry."