Part 33 (2/2)
She will know just what to do. Most of them have had the smallpox. It is really much better for my husband that it should be so. Of course, you can pay high wages--anything she asks,” added Mrs. Preston, whose great fear made her, for once in her life, liberal.
”I suppose that will be the best thing to do. You wish me, then, to engage a nurse?”
”Yes, doctor, if you will be so kind.”
”When do you go away?”
”At once. I shall pack up my clothes immediately. On the whole, I think I will go to the town where G.o.dfrey is at school, and board there for the present. I must see him, and prevent him from coming home.”
”You will go into your husband's chamber and bid him good-by?”
”No; I cannot think of it. It would only be useless exposure.”
”What will he think?”
”Explain it to him, doctor. Tell him that I hope he will get well very soon, and that I feel it my duty to go away now on G.o.dfrey's account.
I am sure he will see that it is my duty.”
”I wonder what excuse she would have if she had no son for a pretext?”
thought the doctor.
”Well,” he said, ”I will do as you request.”
”See that he has the best of care. Get him two nurses, if you think best. Don't spare expense.”
”What extraordinary liberality in Mrs. Preston,” thought the physician.
He went back into the chamber of his patient.
”Doctor,” said Colonel Preston, ”you didn't tell me what was the matter with me. Am I seriously sick?”
”I am sorry to say that you are.”
”Dangerously?”
”Not necessarily. You have the smallpox.”
”Have I?” said the patient, thoughtfully.
”It's an awkward thing to tell him that his wife is going to leave him,” the doctor said to himself. ”However, it must be done.”
”Have you told my wife, doctor?”
”I just told her.”
”What does she say?”
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