TOM

'Twouldn't do no good--Doctor----

DOCTOR

[_Throwing his arms up._]

'Twould do _me_ good! I've rode all night--thirty-five miles--from
my home in Kentucky across the Ohio, into this wilderness, just for you
to insult me----

TOM

I didn't mean to----

DOCTOR

Well, you're doin' it--and I'd give ye the cussin' that'ud pay me for
my trouble comin' up here--if I hadn't heard what you've been doin' for
your neighbors, in this plague. There's no doctor in thirty
miles---- You've been the doctor and nurse--mother and father to 'em
all. And when they die, you go into the woods, cut down a tree, rip out
the boards, make the coffin, dig the grave and lower the dead with a
prayer--I'd like to cuss you, Tom Lincoln--but I can't--damn ye----!

TOM

I'm sorry, Doctor--but I just couldn't let ye bleed her----

DOCTOR

All right--good-by----

[_With a snort of anger, the_ DOCTOR _throws his lancet into his
saddle-bags, snaps them together, and starts for the gate._]

ABE

[_Following the_ DOCTOR _to gate._]

Doctor----!

DOCTOR

What do ye want----?

ABE

[_Seizing his hand._]

Please don't go--I'm mighty sorry we made ye mad--I didn't go to do
it--you see----

[_He falters._]

I love my Ma so, I just couldn't see ye cut her arm open. And Pa didn't
mean to hurt yer feelin's--won't ye stay and help us? Can't ye do
somethin' else for her----?

[_Pauses._]

I'll pay ye----! I'll work for ye a whole--year----

DOCTOR

You'd work for me a year?

ABE

[_Eagerly._]

I'll work for ye _five_ years if you'll just save her--just save
her life--that's all--don't go--please, don't----

DOCTOR

[_The_ DOCTOR _slips his arm around the boy, draws him close and
holds him a moment._]

You're a good boy, Abe----

ABE

You'll stay----?

DOCTOR

I'd stay and do something if I could, Sonny, but to tell ye the truth,
I don't know what to do--I'm not quite sure I'm right about the
bleedin', or I'd stay and make you both help me----

[_He pauses._]

But I'm n