treatment is prejudicial to the general health, and
no wise physician will, I think, resort to it instead of a surgical
operation, which is usually simple and safe."

"Much depends on the location of a tumor," said Mr. Carlton. "The
extirpation may be safe and easy if the operation be in one place, and
difficult and dangerous if in another."

"It is the surgeon's business to do his work so well that danger shall
not exist in any case," replied Doctor Hillhouse.

"I shall trust her in your hands," said Mr. Carlton, trying to assume a
cheerful air. "But I cannot help feeling nervous and extremely anxious."

"You are, of course, over-sensitive about everything that touches one
so dear as your wife," replied the doctor. "But do not give yourself
needless anxiety. Tumors in the neck are generally of the kind known as
'benignant,' and are easily removed."

Dr. Angier came into the office while they were talking, and heard a
part of the conversation. As soon as Mr. Carlton had retired he asked
if the tumor were deep-seated or only a wen-like protuberance.

"Deep-seated, I infer, from what Mr. Carlton said," replied Dr.
Hillhouse.

"What is her constitution?"

"Not as free from a scrofulous tendency as I should like."

"Then this tumor, if it should really prove to be one, may be of a
malignant character."

"That is possible. But I trust to find only a simple cyst, or, at the
worst, an adipose or fibrous tumor easy of removal, though I am sorry
it is in the neck. I never like to cut in among the large blood-vessels
and tendons of that region."

At twelve o'clock Doctor Hillhouse made the promised visit. He found
Mrs. Carlton to all appearance quiet and cheerful.

"My husband is apt to worry himself when anything ails me," she said,
with a faint smile.

The doctor took her hand and felt a low tremor of the nerves that
betrayed the nervous anxiety she was trying hard to conceal. His first
diagnosis was not satisfactory, and he was not able wholly to conceal
his doubts from the keen observation of Mr. Carlton, whose eyes never
turned for a moment from the doctor's face. The swelling was clearly
outlined, but neither sharp nor protuberant. From the manner of its
presentation, and also from the fact that Mrs. Carlton complained of a
feeling of pressure on the vessels of the neck, the doctor feared the
tumor was larger and more deeply seated than the lady's friends had
suspected. But he was most concerned as to its t