human
No fever to-day, doc?
gpt
You feel a little better?
human
They ain't no feelin'. But I ain't hot; jest sort of middlin' cold.
gpt
No, he admitted,
human
You ain't satisfied, doc?
gpt
I am not,
human
H-m-m! murmured the sick man.
gpt
And what might be wrong?
human
Your pulse is uneven and weak,
gpt
I been feelin' sort of weak since I seen Dan last night, admitted the other.
human
But that news Kate brought me will bring me up! She's kept him here, lad, think of that!
gpt
I am thinking of it, answered the doctor coldly.
human
Your last interview with him nearly--killed you. If you see him again I shall wash my hands of the case. When he first came you felt better at once--in fact, I admit that you _seemed_ to do better both in body and mind. But the thing could not last. It was a false stimulus, and when the first effects had passed away, it left you in this condition. Mr. Cumberland, you must see him no more!
gpt
Life, he murmured,
human
I can do no more than advise, said the doctor, as reserved as before.
gpt
I cannot command.
human
A bit peeved, doc? queried the old man.
gpt
Well, sir, I know they ain't much longer for me. Lord, man, I can feel myself going out like a flame in a lamp when the oil runs up. I can feel life jest makin' its last few jumps in me like the flame up the chimney. But listen to me---- he reached out a long, large knuckled, claw-like hand and drew the doctor down over him, and his eyes were earnest--
human
I got to live till I see 'em standin' here beside me, hand in hand, doc!
gpt
You expect to see that?
human
I expect nothin'. I only hope!
gpt
It will be an oddly suited match, he said,
human
Ha! cried Cumberland, and starting up in bed he braced himself on a quaking elbow.
gpt
What's that?
human
Lie down!
gpt
But what d'you mean?
human
It would be a long story--the scientific explanation.
gpt
Doc, where Dan is concerned I got more patience than Job.
human
In brief, then, I will prove to you that there is no mystery in this Daniel Barry.
gpt
If you can do that, doc, you're more of a man than I been guessing you for. Start now!