Frank Ronald had risen and was about to reply, when Dr. Driggs pushed through the doorway, interrupting gruffly.
"I'm not quite satisfied with the way things are going. Nothing to be uneasy about, you know, but, under the circumstances, I'd like another man to talk the case over with."
"I've just called up the New York specialist. He and the nurses----"
"Lord! I don't mean _that_! It'll take _them_ a full day to get here. We can't wait that long. I want some one _now_."
"Now?" Frank Ronald echoed, without any appearance of understanding what the word meant.
"Now," repeated Dr. Driggs. "I'd like to call in----"
Tinkled the telephone-bell with irritating insistence.
Frank Ronald's cold hand gripped the thing as if he would choke it.
"Hello! Is this New York? Is this Dr. Webster? 'Morning, Dr. Webster! This is F. B. Ronald speaking. Yes--I've called you up, because my wife---- Can you hear me _now_? Is this better?--My wife--I'm worried about my wife. I've called in Dr. Driggs of this village. He wants more advice.... Yes, by all means come on at once, and bring the nurses. But Driggs says he can't wait. Must have some one immediately.... Eh? ... _Who_, do you say? ... Boston? Yes, I get that ... Ballard of Boston? ... There's a young fellow here from Boston named Ballard, but he ... I don't believe he's the man. Wait a minute.... Please repeat that! ... You say he's the best skill in New England? National repute? ... I'm afraid.... Hello! Dr. Webster ... Driggs, here, says _'tis_ the man you mean. He says he was just trying to tell me, when ... yes ... I'm sure we can get him. Yes, we _are_ in luck! ... Very well ... Burbank Junction ... midnight.... Good-by!"
Francis Ronald's words and manner were painfully precise.
Thought Martha, "I've seen parties none too steady on their pins, just that kind o' mincin' about their steps. As if they'd dare you say they couldn't walk a chalk-line. Poor fella. He's so crazed with worry he can't see straight, but he's goin' to prove anybody thinks so, is another!"
When Katherine reached home she found Madam Crewe awaiting her.
"Well, and how are things going? You had your tramp for nothing, eh? Young Sammy's account of Mrs. Ronald's danger was hocus-pocus, of course!"