back to the door and peeps in and runs to the gate._]

Abe----! Ma's awake now!

[_She returns to the door, peeps in again and runs once more to the
gate._]

Abe----! He's feelin' her pulse! Come on in--don't stay out there in
the woods....

[ABE _enters slowly._]

ABE

What does he say?

SARAH

He ain't said nothin' yet.

ABE

He's a dumb doctor, anyhow. I couldn't get him to say a word comin',
last night.

SARAH

Well, he's here now, and there's his saddle-bags full of medicine.
You've been ridin' all night--you look terrible tired! Go to bed and
sleep a little----

ABE

I can't--while Ma's so sick--I'm afraid to go to sleep----

SARAH

Why----?

ABE

You know why--Sarah----

SARAH

Ah, she ain't goin' to die now. She's talkin' to the doctor--lie down
just a little while and get to sleep before the sun comes up or ye
can't sleep----

[_Pleading._]

--come on----

ABE

No--I'm scared--the plague's killin' folks every day--and nobody knows
what to do for 'em----

[_The_ DOCTOR _and_ TOM _enter from the cabin and come down
slowly--the_ DOCTOR _seems to be debating his course of action._]

[_Eagerly to_ DOCTOR.]

You can do somethin' for her, Doctor?

DOCTOR

[_Hesitates._]

Yes--Get me a clean towel and a bowl----

ABE

Run, SARAH--quick----

SARAH

[_Running to cabin._]

Yes--I'll get 'em----

[_The_ DOCTOR _opens his saddle-bags, takes out his lancet and
examines its keen point._]

TOM

What are ye goin' ter do with that knife?

DOCTOR

Bleed her, of course--it's the only thing to do----

[_Starts toward cabin._]

ABE

[_To his father._]

Don't let him do it----!

DOCTOR

What's that?

TOM

You shan't bleed her--I don't know nothin' 'bout doctorin'--but I know
that'll kill her----

DOCTOR

I've a notion to give you the worst cussin' you ever had in your life,
Tom Lincoln....