"Get me some hot water," he said in a hasty aside to Leslie, and she quickly left the room.
He stripped off Dr. Underwood's shoe, and began to manipulate the swollen ankle.
"This isn't going to be serious," he said soothingly. "It's merely a strain, not a dislocation. It will be painful for a while,--"
"Will be! Jerusalem, what do you think it is now? You are a doctor."
"No. But I have had some experience with accidents. If you want me to go for a doctor,--"
"You are all I can stand at present, thank you. I know you are a doctor by your confounded nerve. Will be painful! I wish it were your ankle, confound you. And I'll never grumble again when my patients swear at me. I never realized before what a relief it is to swear at your doctor. How did you happen to be here? I suppose it was an accident and not a special dispensation of Providence."
"I was the bearer of a message to your daughter, and so happened to be on hand at the right moment, that's all. My name is Burton,--Hugh Burton, Putney, Massachusetts."
"There, doesn't that begin to feel more comfortable?"
"Humph! That's a neat way of telling me to mind my own business."
Burton merely laughed. "Let me look at this cut in your temple. So! Any more damages?"
"My little finger was knocked out of joint, but I think I put it back. I guess that's all they had time to get in,--"
The sharp monosyllable made them both start. Leslie had returned with Mrs. Bussey, who was carrying a kettle of hot water; but in her surprise at her father's remark, she was very effectively blocking the way for the timid servant.
"Leslie, your curiosity unfits you for any useful career," her father exclaimed, with a great show of irritation. "Do you suppose Dr. Burton wanted that hot water to meliorate the temperature of the room? If so, it will probably be just as well to keep Mrs. Bussey holding it in the doorway; but if you think he possibly meant to use it as a fomentation,--"
"You needn't think you are going to put me off in that way," said Leslie, making way for Mrs. Bussey. "I am just as sorry as I can be that you are hurt, you know, but that isn't all. I want to know what has happened now."
"Dr. Burton assures me it is merely a strain, though he goes so far as to admit that if I make the worst of it, I may be able to imagine that it hurts. But of course it doesn't really. It will merely be nerves."