shortly. "It's none of my business. You can have all the doctors in
New York if you want 'em."

"I don't want 'em, confound you," exclaimed Uncle Joe. "I only want a
fighting chance, that's all. I--"

"Nobody's fighting you, is they?" demanded Melissa, whipping a blanket
across the bed with more energy than seemed necessary. She began
tucking in the edges. "I guess we've always been pretty nice to you,
Uncle Joe--every one of us--and I guess we'll keep on being nice to
you, so don't growl."

"That's right, Melissa," said the sick man humbly. "You've been a
jewel, my girl. I--I shall never forget you."

"I'm a soft-hearted fool or I'd ha'--" began Melissa, somewhat
ominously, but checked herself after a quick glance at her mistress's
face. "Try to go to sleep, Uncle Joe," she substituted. "I'll have
some toast and tea for you when you wake up. You--you look as if you
hadn't eat anything since you left, you poor old thing."

"I hope Tom didn't need his overcoat while I was away, Mary," said
Uncle Joe, abruptly changing the topic of conversation.

[Illustration with caption: That's the kind of a doctor to have," said
Uncle Joe]

"He has another coat," said Mrs. Bingle, evasively. "When you feel
better you must tell us what you have been doing for the past--"