"Is he going to die?"

"No, not this time."

"Well, what did you stay out all night for?"
The voice had now grown stronger, with a petulant
tone through it.

"Well, I could hardly help it. They are very
simple people, and were so badly frightened that
they were helpless. It's the only child they have
left to them--the last one died of croup."

"Well, are you going to turn nurse for half the
paupers in the county? All children have croup,
and they don't all die!" The petulant voice had
now developed into one of indignation.

"No, mother, but I couldn't take any risks. This
little chap is worth saving."

There came a pause, during which the tired man
waited patiently.

"You were at the Cobdens'?"

"Yes; or I should have reached Fogarty's sooner."

"And Miss Jane detained you, of course."