Volume I Part 4 (2/2)
”She is not so ill as she fancies, is she?”
It was Miser Farebrother who spoke to her. She rose softly, and led him from the bed, so that their conversation should not disturb the sufferer.
”Why did you not send me a telegram instead of a letter?”
”A telegram!” he cried. ”Do you think I am made of money?”
”I am not thinking of your money: I am thinking of my sister. What does the doctor say?”
”The doctor!” he exclaimed. ”I have none.”
Gentle-natured as she was, she looked at him in horror.
”You have none--and my sister dying!”
”It is not true,” he whined, thinking of the inconvenience such an event would cause him; ”it cannot be true. She was well a few days ago.
I cannot afford doctors. You are all in a conspiracy to rob me!”
”I was told as I came along that this great house is yours.”
”Yes, it is--my property, my own.”
”And a great deal of land around, and everything in the place.”
”Yes, it is--all mine, all mine!” And then, with a sudden suspicion, ”Do you intend to dispute it?”
”Heaven forbid! What is it to do with me--except that when you speak of ruin to me, and of not being able to afford a doctor, you are speaking what is false. Why did you marry?”
”I don't know,” he replied, wringing his hands, ”I don't know. I ought never to have done it. I ought to have lived alone, with n.o.body to keep but myself.”
”It would have been better for my poor sister. But she is your wife, and I shall not allow her to suffer as she is suffering without seeking medical a.s.sistance. I have never been in this neighbourhood, and know nothing about it. Where is the nearest doctor?”
”I can't tell you; I am almost as much a stranger here as you are.”
”There must be one not very far off. Who was the lad who opened the door for me when I came to-night?”
”My servant, Tom Barley. What do you want him for? He is asleep by this time. He has work to do the first thing in the morning.”
”Where does he sleep?”
”Outside; in the stable.”
”I shall find it. You must write a few words on paper for me.”
”I'll do nothing of the sort. You shan't force me to put my name to anything. Do you think I am not up to such tricks?”
”If you don't do as I say I will bring a lawyer here as well as a doctor.”
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