"I was only thinking, Dot, that's what's the matter with everybody; they're waiting to get their meeting-houses full."
Dotty did not understand the remark, but thought it safe to pout.
"I can't help thinking about that poor Maria," said Prudy. "Do you suppose, Horace, the doctor can help her?"
"Yes, I presume he can. It will probably take him about five minutes," replied Master Horace, as decidedly as if he had studied medicine all his days. "But do you suppose he'll do it for nothing? Not if he knows it. He'll see the carriage, and find out auntie has money; and then won't he make her pay over? Just the way with 'em, Prue. He's one of these doctors that's rolling in gold."
"Rollin' in gold," repeated Fly, thinking how hard that must be for him, and how it would hurt.
But Horace was quite mistaken. The doctor did not say one word about money. He asked Mrs. Brooks to tell him just how and when Maria had begun to grow blind. And though she made a tedious story of it, he listened patiently till she said,--
"Now, doctor, I am poor, and we've been unfortunate, and I don't know as I shall be able to pay you, and I--"
"No matter for that, my good woman. I shan't charge you one penny. Don't take up my time talking about money. It's my business to talk about eyes. Lead the child to the window."
The scarlet spots in Maria's cheeks faded, leaving her very pale. She held her breath. Would the doctor ever stop pulling open her eyelids? It was not half a minute, though. Then he spoke:--
"Madam, are you willing to do exactly as I say? Can you both be patient? If so, I have hope of this child."
Maria swayed forward at these words, and Mrs. Allen caught her in her arms. Mrs. Brooks ran around in a maze, crying, "We've killed her! we've killed her!" and wildly took up a case of instruments, to do, she knew not what; but the doctor stopped her, and dashed a little water in Maria's face.
When the dear little girl came out of her swoon, she was murmuring to herself,--
"I thought God would be willing! I thought God would be willing!"
She did not know any one heard her. Mrs. Brooks rushed up to her.
"You are the best man alive, Maria," said she.
Then she turned to the doctor, calling him "my dear little girl," and might have kissed him if he had not laughed.