Part 16 (1/2)

”Oh, Father!” interrupted Daphne. ”He is so old and slow. He'd _never_ get here. Why don't you ask Dr. Eaton? He lives near here.”

Mr. Thornton pursed up his lips.

”He is far too young. He has not the experience of Dr. Rathman.”

”But, Father, the baby isn't dying.”

Drusilla's shrewd old eyes looked keenly at Daphne's flushed face, and she laughed.

”I think Daphne is right. A young doctor's better. I don't think old doctors have a hand with babies.”

”But Dr. Eaton is very young,” remonstrated Mr. Thornton.

”The younger the better, then perhaps he ain't forgot how the stomach-ache feels himself. You telephone him, Daphne.”

”No,” said Daphne, a little embarra.s.sed. ”I think James had better do that. Oh, here's Mrs. Donald.”

The baby was given into the motherly arms of Mrs. Donald; and Mr.

Thornton drew on his gloves and said very coldly, feeling that he had lost ground on every point, ”Come, Daphne; we will go. When you have decided upon the final disposition of the child, you may, as always, command my services, Miss Doane. Come, Daphne.”

”But, Father, I'll stay a while with Miss Doane.”

”No, Daphne; you will go with me. Your mother needs you.”

Daphne cast an imploring glance at Drusilla.

”Can't Daphne stay a while? I'd like to talk with her,” Drusilla said.

”No,” said her father, with a finality in his tone that caused Daphne to go with him meekly, if unwillingly; ”Daphne must return with me.”

Drusilla looked at the set face a moment, and then at the rebellious face of Daphne, and her own face broke into the tiny wrinkles that accompanied her smiles.

”Oh, I see! Well, never mind, child. There are lots of other days and this baby may need the services of a doctor often.” And she accompanied them to the hall with a little light of understanding in her eyes as she watched Daphne's pouting face disappear in the motor.

The young doctor came. He was a tall, broad-shouldered young athlete, not yet thirty, and his merry blue eyes and his cheery voice won Drusilla at once. They went to the gardener's cottage and inspected the baby. The doctor patted it and tickled it and tossed it in his arms until it was all gurgles of delight.

”He's as sound as a dollar, Miss Doane,” he said. ”Couldn't be in better condition. He could run a Marathon this minute if his legs were long enough.”

Drusilla watched the proceedings with twinkling eyes.

”Well, that's a new way to medically examine an ailin' child,” she commented; ”but it seems to work.”

”Ailing! He isn't ailing, Miss Doane. If he keeps this fit Mrs.

Donald won't have to send for me often.”

”That's what I told Mr. Thornton; but he said I must have you.”

Dr. Eaton stopped tossing the baby and looked at Miss Doane in astonishment.

”Are you telling me that Mr. Thornton asked you to send for me?”