rough finely, but I do not conceal from you the fact that
her life hangs by a thread."

I had a premonition that something was going to be "broken" to me. I
dropped into a chair, and waited dully. Then I felt a hand on my
shoulder, and Sir James continued--

"Just weakness, you understand! Her exhaustion when she came out of the
chloroform was extreme, but every moment now is in our favour. Children
have such extraordinary recuperative power."

He was speaking in the usual cheery tones of the bedside optimist. I
raised my head.

"Tell me straight, Sir James--will the child live?"

The old man's grip on my shoulder tightened just for a moment, and when
he spoke it was in an entirely unprofessional voice.

"Thanks to two of the bravest and most devoted of women," he said, "I
think she will."

I dropped my head into my hands.

"Please God!" I murmured brokenly.

"Of course," he continued, "anything may happen yet. But the way in
which she has been cared for by my good friend here----"

"No, no," said Farquharson. "Give the credit to those that deserve it. I
just afforded ordinary professional assistance. It was your wife and her
sister, Mr Inglethwaite, that pulled the child through. She has had
tight hold of a hand of one of them ever since ten o'clock last night."

"Yes," said Sir James; "I think it will be found that their nursing has
just made the difference. You had better give him something,
Farquharson."

In truth I needed something, though up to this point I had not realised
the fact. Farquharson gave me a draught out of a little glass, which
sent a steadying glow all through me, and presently I was able to shake
hands, dumbly and mechanically, with the great surgeon, who, I found,
was bidding me good-bye; for the world is full of sick folk, and their
champion may not stay to see the issue of one battle before he must
hurry off to fight another.

They left me to myself, while Farquharson went down to the door with Sir
James. Presently he returned.

"I must be getting back to the patient shortly," he said. "The next hour
or so will be very critical. The nurse is here, and I have sent the
ladies to bed. But you may go in for a look, if you like. I am going out
for exactly ten minutes."

"I see--a breather. You deserve it."

"Not exactly. I'm going to vote--for Stridge!"

He chuckled in a marvellously cheering way, and left me.

As I approached Phillis's room the door opened, and I was confronte