What
business had I to take her to nurse him----"
He was cut short by Sally's entrance and announcement, that Ruth
was now prepared to see him.
From that time forward Mr. Davis devoted all his leisure, his
skill, his energy, to save her. He called on the rival surgeon,
to beg him to undertake the management of Mr. Donne's recovery,
saying, with his usual self-mockery, "I could not answer it to
Mr. Cranworth if I had brought his opponent round, you know, when
I had had such a fine opportunity in my power. Now, with your
patients, and general Radical interest, it will be rather a
feather in your cap; for he may want a good deal of care yet,
though he is getting on famously--so rapidly, in fact, that it's
a strong temptation to me to throw him back--a relapse, you
know."
The other surgeon bowed gravely, apparently taking Mr. Davis in
earnest, but certainly very glad of the job thus opportunely
thrown in his way. In spite of Mr. Davis's real and deep anxiety
about Ruth, he could not help chuckling over his rival's literal
interpretation of all he had said.
"To be sure, what fools men are! I don't know why one should
watch and strive to keep them in the world. I have given this
fellow something to talk about confidently to all his patients; I
wonder how much stronger a dose the man would have swallowed! I
must begin to take care of my practice for that lad yonder.
Well-a-day! well-a-day! What was this sick fine gentleman sent
here for, that she should run a chance of her life for him? or
why was he sent into the world at all, for that matter?"
Indeed, however much Mr.
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