"Bart Holt," cried Martha aloud, nodding to the
doctor as if to get his assistance in saving her bairn
from possible danger.

Jane colored slightly and turned to Doctor John.

"You go please, doctor, and bring them all in,
or you may have some new patients on your
hands."

The doctor looked from one to the other in doubt
as to the cause of his selection, but Jane's face
showed none of the anxiety in Martha's.

"Yes, certainly," he answered simply; "but I'll
get myself into a hornet's nest. These young people
don't like to be told what's good for them," he added
with a laugh, rising from his seat. "And after that
you'll permit me to slip away without telling anybody,
won't you? My last minute has come," and he
glanced at his watch.

"Going so soon? Why, I wanted you to stay for
supper. It will be ready in a few minutes." Her
voice had lost its buoyancy now. She never wanted
him to go. She never let him know it, but it pained
her all the same.

"I would like to, but I cannot." All his heart
was in his eyes as he spoke.