“You operate at twelve?”

“Yes.”

“You will be all right enough by that time; but it will not do to visit many patients.  I am sorry about this case of child-bed fever; but I will see it again immediately after breakfast, and report.”

While they were still talking the bell rang violently, and in a few moments Mr. Ridley came dashing into the office.  His face wore a look of the deepest distress.

“Oh, doctor, he exclaimed can’t you do something for my wife?  She’ll die if you don’t.  Oh, do go to her again!”

“Has any change taken place since we left?” asked Dr. Hillhouse, with a professional calmness it required some effort to assume.

“She is in great distress, moaning and sobbing and crying out as if in dreadful pain, and she doesn’t know anything you say to her.”

The two physicians looked at each other with sober faces.

“You’d better see her again,” said Dr. Hiilhouse, speaking to his assistant.

“No, no, no, Dr. Hillhouse!  You must see her yourself.  It is a case of life and death!” cried out the distracted husband.  “The responsibility is yours, and I must and will hold you to that responsibility.  I placed my wife in your charge, not in that of this or any other man.”

Mr. Ridley was beside himself with fear.  At first Dr. Hillhouse felt like resenting this assault, but he controlled himself.

“You forget yourself, Mr. Ridley,” he answered in a repressed voice.  We do not help things by passion or intemperance of language.  I saw your wife less than half an hour ago, and after giving the utmost care to the examination of her case made the best prescription in my power.  There has not been time for the medicines to act yet.  I know how troubled you must feel, and can pardon your not very courteous bearing; but there are some things that can and some things that cannot be done.  There are good reasons why it will not be right for me to return to your house now—­reasons affecting the safety, it may be the life, of another, while my not going back with you can make no difference to Mrs. Ridley.  Dr. Angier is fully competent to report on her condition, and I can decide on any change of treatment that may be required as certainly as if I saw her myself.  Should he find any change for the worse, I will consider it my duty to see her without delay.”

“Don’t neglect her, for God’s sake, doctor!” answered Mr. Ridley, in a pleading voice.  His manner had grown subdued.  Forgive my seeming discourtesy.  I am wellnigh distracted.  If I lose her, I lose my hold on everything.  Oh, doctor, you cannot know how much is at stake.  God help me if she dies!”

“My dear sir, nothing in our power to do shall be neglected.  Dr. Angier will go back with you; and if, on his return, I am satisfied that there is a change for the worse, I will see your wife without a moment’s delay.  And in the mean time, if you wish to call in another physician, I shall be glad to have you do so.  Fix the time for consultation at any hour before half-past ten o’clock, and I will meet him.  After that I shall be engaged professionally for two or three hours.”