The Story of a Doctor's Telephone Part 13

"Mrs. Blank, a telegram has just come for the doctor. What must I do with it?" It was the man at the office who put the question.

"Do you know what it is, or where it's from?"

"I asked the operator and he says it's from Mr. Sloc.u.m, who is in Cincinnati. He telegraphed the doctor to go and see his wife who is sick."

"Well, take it over to Dr. Brown's office and ask him to go and see her."

About half an hour later the thought of the telegram came into her mind.

"I wonder if he found Dr. Brown in. I'd better find out."

She rang the office. "Did you find Dr. Brown in?"

"Yes, he was there."

"And you gave the message to him?"

"Yes, he took it."

"I hope he went right down?"

"No, he said he wouldn't go."

"Wouldn't go!" exclaimed Mary, much astonished.

"He said he knew Sloc.u.m and he was in all probability drunk when he sent the message."

"Why, what a queer conclusion to arrive at. The doctor may be right but I think we ought to know."

"I called up their house after I came back from Dr. Brown's office, but n.o.body answered. So she can't be very sick or she'd be at home."

Mary put up the receiver hesitatingly. She was not satisfied about this matter. She went about her work, but her thoughts were on the message and the sick wife. Suddenly she thought of something--the Sloc.u.m children were in school. The mother had not been able to get to the 'phone to answer it. The thought of her lying there alone and helpless was too much. Mary went swiftly to the telephone and called the office.

"Johnson, you have to pa.s.s Mrs. Sloc.u.m's on your way to dinner. I think she may have been too ill to go to the 'phone. Please stop and find out something definite."

"All right."

"And let me know as soon as you can. If she isn't sick don't tell her anything about the telegram. Think up some excuse as you go along for coming in, in case all is well."

In about twenty minutes the expected summons came.

"Well, I stopped, Mrs. Blank."

"What did you find?"

"Well, I found a hatchet close to Sloc.u.m's gate."

"How lucky!"

"I took it in to ask if it was theirs."

"Was it?"

"No, it wasn't."

"Who told you so?"

"Mrs. Sloc.u.m, herself, and she's about the healthiest looking invalid I've seen lately."

"I'm much relieved. Thank you, Johnson." And as she left the 'phone she meditated within herself, "Verily, the tender thoughtfulness of the husband drunk exceedeth that of the husband sober."

When night came and Mary was preparing for bed she thought, "It will be very unpleasant to be called up only to tell people the doctor is not here." She rose, went to the 'phone and called central.

"This is Mrs. Blank, central. If anyone should want the doctor tonight, or for the next two nights, please say he is out of town and will not be home until Sat.u.r.day."

Then with a delicious sense of freedom she went to bed and slept as sweetly as in the long-ago when the telephone was a thing undreamed of.

The ting-a-ling-ling-ling--came as Mary was pouring boiling water into the teapot, just before six on a cool July evening. The maid was temporarily absent and Mary had been getting supper in a very leisurely way when she saw her husband step up on the porch. Then her leisure was exchanged for hurry. The doctor's appearance before meal time was the signal to which she responded automatically--he had to catch a train--someone must have him right away, or what not? She must not keep him waiting a minute. She pushed the teapot back on the stove and went swiftly to the 'phone.

"Is this Dr. Blank's office?" asked a disturbed feminine voice.

"No, his residence. He is here. Wait a minute, please, and I will call him."

She hurried out to the porch, "Isn't papa here?" she asked of her small boy sitting there.

"He _was_."

"Well, where is he now?"

"I don't know where he is."

Provoking! She hurried back. He must be in the garden. An occasional impulse to hoe sometimes came over him (especially if the day happened to be Sunday).

In the kitchen her daughter stood at a table cutting the bread for supper. "Go quick, and see if papa's in the garden. Tell him to come to the 'phone at once."

Then she hurried back to re-a.s.sure the waiting one. But what could she tell her? Perhaps the doctor was not in the garden. She rushed out and beat her daughter in the race toward it. She sent her voice ahead, "John!" she called.

"Yes."

"Come to the 'phone this minute." Back she ran. Would she still be waiting?

"h.e.l.lo."

"h.e.l.lo."

"Yes, the doctor's here. He's in the garden but will be in in just a minute. Hold the 'phone please."