human
All safely over, dear, he said.
gpt
The patient doing well so far, and no reason why he shouldn't continue, as far as we can see.
human
Oh, I'm so glad, Red,
gpt
That goes without saying, partner. I'll tell you a lot more about it, now, when I get back.
human
Will you ride home, Miss Photographer? Burns called.
gpt
Or do you prefer trudging all the way back with that camera and tripod?
human
I'm delighted to ride, Dr. Burns, replied Charlotte Ruston.
gpt
Captivating roadside views enticed me much farther than I intended, and the camera weighs twice what it did when I started.
human
Jump in, then, and let me give you a piece of good news I'm bursting with, and Burns held out his hand for the camera.
gpt
You're getting a beautiful sunburn on that right cheek,
human
I'll burn the left to match it, if you won't drive too fast. You'll have to go a little slower while you talk. I've noticed you're always silent when you're scorching along the road.
gpt
So I am, I believe. Well, I'm not going to be silent now. I've just come from seeing Jamie Ferguson put on the road to future health and happiness, the good Lord willing--and I've a notion He is.
human
Jamie--the little cripple who lies on his back?
gpt
The same. He'll lie on his back some time longer and then, I think, he'll get up.
human
You operated on him to-day? How glad I am!
gpt
No, I didn't operate. It took a better man than I. I've never done this particular stunt, and Jamie was not a patient for experiment. Jack Leaver did the trick, and a finished trick it was, too. I'm so full of enthusiasm over his performance that I'm bursting with it, as I warned you.
human
What's the matter? he asked, wondering. He had to look ahead at the road, but he cut down on the Imp's speed, so that he could spare a glance at his companion again.
gpt
You look as if I'd given you bad news instead of good.
human
Oh, no!--oh, no! she said, in odd, short breaths.
gpt
It's great--wonderful! Poor little fellow! I'm very glad. You said--Dr. Leaver did it? I was simply--surprised.
human
Did it brilliantly. But there's no occasion for surprise about that. Having been in Baltimore as much as you have, you must know his position there. There's nobody with a bigger reputation.
gpt
But I thought he had been--ill?
human
Tired out. Small wonder, at the pace he was going--the working pace, I mean. He never let up on himself. I got him here to rest up. He would have been off long ago if I would have given him leave, but I had his promise to keep away from work till he was thoroughly fit for it, so I've made the most of my chance. I shall never get another. If I know him he'll be back in his office before the week ends. Once give a chap like him a taste of work after idleness, and there's no use trying to hold him.
gpt
You think him fully fit, now?
human
Never so fit in his life, if I'm any judge. I've seen him at work many a time, and I never saw finer methods than his to-day, his own or any man's--and I've watched some pretty smooth things. By the way, I understand you had met Dr. Leaver before you met him here?
gpt
Yes, I had met him.