"I should refuse to operate. I cannot pretend that an operation is the
only means left to save his life. It is just the other way round. We are
supposed to take extreme measures in extreme cases, but always with the
idea of prolonging human life. In this instance, I am bound to tell you,
that I don't believe there is a chance to save him. We must look the
matter squarely in the face."
"You said that there was absolutely no chance." She leaned heavily against
the table.
"I believe there is no chance, but I am not all-seeing, Anne. We never
know,--absolutely. Miracles happen. They are not performed by man,
however."
"Have you spoken to Dr. Bates?"
"Yes. He is coming to the hospital, to--to be with me."
"He will not attempt to prevent the operation?"
"No. He does not advise or sanction it, but he--understands."
"And you will be held responsible for everything?"
"I suppose so," said he bitterly.
She was silent for a long time. "I think I shall object to the operation,
Braden," she said at last.
"For my sake and not for his, I take it," he said.
"I may as well give him the tablets myself, as to consent to your method
of--of--" She could not finish the sentence.
"It isn't quite the same," he said. "I act with the authority of the law
behind me. You would be violating the law."
"Still you would be killing a fellow creature," she protested. "I--I cannot
allow you to sacrifice yourself, Braden."
"You forget that I have no false notions as to the question of right and
wrong in cases of this kind. I assure you that if I undertake this
operation it will be with a single purpose in mind: to save and prolong
the life of my patient. The worst you can say of me is that I am convinced
beforehand that I shall fail. If I were to act upon the principles I
advocate, I should not feel obliged to go through the travesty of an
operation. The time may come when cases of this sort will be laid before a
commission, and if in their judgment it is deemed humane to do so, a drug
will be administered and the horrors that are likely to attend my efforts
of to-morrow will be impossible. There is no such law to sustain me now,
no commission, no decision by experts and familiars to back me up, so I
can only obey the commands of the patient himself,--and do the best I can
for him. He insists on having the operation performed--and by me. I am one
of the family. I am his only blood relative. It is meet and just, says he,
th
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