Part 49 (1/2)
The lawyer looked at the unconscious man and could not repress a start.
It was his father. For just an eyebeat he hesitated before he said, ”I've seen him before somewhere.”
”We must take him to the hospital. Isn't there a doctor here? Someone run for a doctor.” The young woman's glance swept the crowd in appeal.
”I'll take care of him. Better get away before the crowd is too large, Miss Frome.”
”No. It was our machine did it. Oh, here's a doctor.”
A pair of lean, muscular shoulders pushed through the press after the doctor. ”Much hurt, James?” inquired their owner.
”No. For heaven's sake, get Miss Frome away, Jeff,” implored his cousin.
”Miss Frome!” Jeff stepped forward with an exclamation.
The young woman looked up. She was kneeling in the street and supporting the head of the wounded man. Her face was almost as bloodless as his.
”We almost ran him down. Your cousin jumped to save him. He isn't dead, doctor, is he?”
Jeff turned swiftly to his cousin and spoke in a low voice. ”It's your father.”
The lawyer pushed forward with a manner of authority.
”This won't do, doctor. The crowd's growing and we're delaying the traffic. Let us lift him into the machine and take him to the hospital.”
”Very good, Mr. Farnum.”
”Doctor, will you go with him to the hospital? And Jeff... you, too, if you please.”
A minute later the car pushed its way slowly through the crush of people and disappeared. James was left standing on the curb with Alice.
He spoke brusquely. ”Someone call a cab, please....I'll send you home, Miss Frome.”
”No, to the hospital,” she corrected. ”I couldn't go home now without knowing how he is.”
”Very well. Anything to get away from here.”
”And you can have your cut attended to there.”
”Oh, that's nothing. A basin of cold water is all I need. Here's the cab, thank heaven.”
The girl's gaze followed the automobile up the hill as she waited for the taxicab to stop. ”I do hope he isn't hurt badly,” she murmured piteously.
”Probably he isn't. Just stunned, the doctor seemed to think. Anyhow it was an unavoidable accident.”
The eyes of the young woman kindled. ”I'll never forget the way you jumped to save him. It was splendid.”
James flushed with pleasure. ”Nonsense. I merely pushed him aside.”
”You merely risked your life for his. A bagatelle--don't mention it,”