human
Ochone! Ochone! I'll never see me little Johnny runnin' around the flure again, she said to Hester.
gpt
He's goin' jest like his poor feyther.
human
What nonsense you're talking, Mrs. Doyle! cried Hester, cheerfully.
gpt
He'll come back to you as chipper as a sparrow. Won't he, Dr. Agnew?
human
So I tell her--if God wills,
gpt
What is it he needs, Doctor? she asked, in a low voice.
human
His mother's always talking so wild I cannot make head nor tail of it. She says you want to put new blood in him.
gpt
That is it exactly, said Dr. Agnew, his eyes twinkling.
human
A pint of blood such as your veins carry in such abundance might save Johnny's life.
gpt
Do you mean that, Doctor?
human
Yes, Miss Hester.
gpt
Then he can have it, returned the girl, quietly.
human
You can take it now, for all I care.
gpt
No, no, he said.
human
It isn't as easy as all that. And I'm not sure I'd be doing right to let you do it----
gpt
I guess you're not _my_ conscience, Dr. Agnew,
human
No; but I have a conscience of my own, said the doctor, grimly.
gpt
This isn't a thing to be done in a minute, or in a corner, young lady. It includes one of the very nicest of surgical operations. It will keep you out of school for some time. It will keep you at the hospital. It will, indeed, keep you in bed longer than you care to stay, perhaps.
human
Is it dangerous?
gpt
To you? No. Not in any appreciable degree. You are a full-blooded girl. You can spare much more than Johnny needs----
human
Then let it be done,
gpt
We'll have to see what your mother and father say.
human
You leave that to me, said Hester.
gpt
I know how to manage them.
human
I'm not sure whether, if you were my daughter, I should be most proud of you, or afraid for you,
gpt
What do you want me to do?
human
Come here to the light, the doctor said, rummaging in his kit for a tiny instrument. He held her thumb firmly.
gpt
It will only be a needle prick.
human
Go ahead,
gpt
We'll just find out what _this_ tells about you in the laboratory, said the doctor.
human
I'm much mistaken if it doesn't tell a good story, Hester Grimes. Then I'll come and see your father and mother this evening.
gpt
You needn't bother if you're going to be busy, observed Hester, coolly.
human
They will give their permission. When will you want me at the hospital?
gpt
You will sleep there to-night under the care of one of our very nicest nurses--Miss Parraday, said the doctor, smiling again.
human
And our little boy here--God willing--shall have a chance for life.