Part 9 (1/2)
Winifred explained timidly. ”She's a very nice lady, but she hasn't any money to pay a doctor with. She's very ill indeed, but she told Betty--that's her little girl, you know--not to send for a doctor, because she couldn't afford it.”
The doctor looked a little puzzled.
”Perhaps she wouldn't care to see me then,” he said, ”if she objected to having a doctor sent for.”
”Oh, yes, she would,” said Winifred earnestly, ”at least she wouldn't know anything about it, and Betty and Jack would be so very glad. Jack is a cripple, he can't walk at all; and, oh, it's dreadful to see him so unhappy. Mrs. Randall is really very ill. She doesn't know Betty and she keeps talking to herself the way people in books do when they're delirious.
”I said I'd come and tell you about it, and I was sure you'd come, because Lulu says you're so very kind.”
The doctor smiled, but he was beginning to look really interested.
”Did your mother send you for me?” he asked.
Winifred's eyes sank.
”N--no, sir,” she faltered, ”mother's out shopping, and doesn't know anything about it. Perhaps I oughtn't to have come, but I didn't know what else to do, and I was so very sorry for Betty and Jack.”
Winifred's lip quivered, and two big tears rolled slowly down her cheeks. The doctor patted her shoulder kindly.
”You did quite right to come,” he said, ”and I will go to see your friend to-day.”
”Will you please go just as soon as you can?” Winifred asked eagerly.
The doctor rose and looked at his watch.
”It is half-past ten now,” he said. ”I have to stay in my office till eleven, and then I have one or two serious cases to see, but I will be at Mrs. Randall's as early as I possibly can.”
”Now run along home, and if your mother makes any objections, tell her I said you did quite right to come, and that I am very glad you did.”
”Oh, thank you, sir, thank you very much indeed,” said Winifred gratefully, and the look she gave the doctor said more than any words could have done. With a sudden impulse, he bent and kissed her.
”You dear little girl,” he said. And then another patient was announced, and Winifred hurried away.
CHAPTER VI
FRIENDS IN NEED
By the time Dr. Bell arrived at the apartment house Betty and Jack were no longer alone with their mother. Mrs. Hamilton had returned from her shopping expedition, and as soon as she heard the story from Winifred, had hastened upstairs to see what could be done. One glance at the flushed face and bright burning eyes, had been enough to convince her that Winifred had not exaggerated matters and that Mrs. Randall was indeed very ill. As for Betty, at the first glimpse of Mrs. Hamilton's kind, sweet face it had seemed to the little girl as though a great load had been suddenly lifted from her shoulders.
Mrs. Hamilton did not waste much time in words, but at once set about the task of making everybody more comfortable. In an incredibly short time Mrs. Randall's face and hands were bathed, and her bed smoothed; Jack was dressed in his wrapper, and carried to his usual place on the sitting-room sofa, and a substantial meal was in preparation in the kitchen. When the doctor came, Mrs. Hamilton sent Betty to stay with Jack, and the two children sat silently, hand in hand, listening for any sounds that might come from their mother's room.
”Do you think the doctor will make her well right away, Betty?” Jack whispered at last.
”I guess he will if he can. He's got a very kind face, and he smiled at me when I opened the door. Hark, they're coming out now.”
Next moment Mrs. Hamilton and the doctor came into the room together.
They both looked grave and anxious.
”She must have a nurse,” Betty heard the doctor say in a low voice. ”I will send one as soon as I can, and be in again myself this evening. You will stay with her till the nurse arrives?”