I mercifully shook her faith a
little. Well, she feels for you, old fellow. The belief that you
understand her better than any one has great sustaining power."
"Say I won't fail her; but I entreat that you soon let me know the
result of the meeting."
"I'll come in," assented the doctor, as he hastily departed. Then
he added sotto voce, "If you hear anything more under twelve or
fifteen hours, I'm off my reckoning."
Re-entering the carriage, he was driven rapidly to the hotel.
Jackson had played his part, and had easily induced Nichol to
recount his hospital experience in the presence of his parents,
who listened in mingled wonder, grief, and impotent protest.
"Captain, put on your overcoat and hat and come with me," said the
doctor, briskly. "Your father and mother will go with us."
"Good-by, Jackson," said Nichol, cordially. "Ye're a lively cuss,
en I hopes we'll have a chaince to chin agin."
With a blending of hope and of fear, his parents followed him. The
terrible truth of his sensibility to all that he should recognize
and remember became only the more appalling as they comprehended
it.
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