The Story of a Doctor's Telephone Part 16

"Thank you, John, you are very thoughtful," and she smiled as she took off her sun-bonnet and sat herself down. "Not another time will I climb those stairs this morning."

Mary sat one evening dreamily thinking about them--these messages that came every day, every day!

Doctor, will it hurt Jennie to eat some tomatoes this morning--she craves them so?

Will is a great deal better. Can he have some ice-cream for dinner?

I can hardly manage Henry any longer, Doctor, he's determined he _will_ have more to eat. Can I begin giving him a little more today?

Lemonade won't hurt Helen, will it? She wants some.

Doctor, I forget how many drops of that clear medicine I am to give.....

Ten, you say? Thank you.

Dr. Blank, is it after meals or before that the dark medicine is to be given..... I thought so, but I wanted to be sure.

We are out of those powders you left. Do you think we will need any more?.... Then I'll send down for them.

How long will you be in the office this morning, Doctor?...... Very well, I'll be down in about an hour. I want you to see my throat.

You wanted me to let you know how Johnny is this morning. I don't think he has any fever now and he slept all night, so I guess you won't need to come down today.

Dr. Blank, I've got something coming on my finger. Do you suppose it's a felon?.... You can tell better when you see it?.... Well, I suppose you can. I'll be down at the office pretty soon and then I want you to tell me it's _not_ a felon.

Mary seems a good deal better this morning, but she still has that pain in her side.

Doctor, I don't believe Joe is as well as he was last night. I think you had better come down.

As these old, old stories came leisurely into Mary's thoughts the telephone rang three times. She rose from her chair before the fire and went to answer it.

"Is this Dr. Blank's office?"

"No, his residence."

"Is the doctor there?"

"No, but he will be down on the seven o'clock train."

"And it's now not quite six. This is Mr. Andrews."

Mary knew the name and the man.

"My wife is sick and I want to get a pint of alcohol for her."

"An old subterfuge," thought Mary, "I'm afraid he wants it for himself."

She knew that he was often under its influence.

"I can't get it without a prescription from a physician, you know. She needs it right away."

"The thirst is on him," thought our listener, pityingly.

The voice went on, "Mrs. Blank, couldn't you just speak to the druggist about it so I could get it right away?"

"Mr. Andrews," she said hastily, "the druggist would pay no attention to me. I'm not a physician, you know. The doctor will be here in an hour--see him," and she hurried the receiver into its place, anxious to get away from it. This was a story that was entirely new to her. Never before had she been asked to procure a prescription for alcohol or any of its attendant spirits. She liked the old stories best.

The doctor had been to the city and had got home at four o'clock in the morning. He had had to change cars in the night and consequently had had little sleep. When the door-bell rang his wife awakened instantly at the expected summons and rose to admit him. In a little while both were fast asleep. The wife, about a half hour later, found herself struggling to speak to somebody about something, she did not know what. But when the second long peal came from the 'phone she was fully awakened. How she hated to rouse the slumberer at her side.

"John," she called softly. He did not move.

"John!" a little louder. He stirred slightly, but slept on.

"John, _John_!"

"Huh-h?"

"The telephone."

He threw back the covers, and rising, stumbled to the 'phone.

"h.e.l.lo."

The voice of a little boy came to his half-awakened ear.

"_Say_, Pa, _I_ can't sell these papers an' git through in time fer school."

"Yes, you _can_!" roared a voice. "You jist want to fool around." The doctor went back to bed.

"Wasn't the message for you?" inquired his wife. "What a shame to rouse you from your sleep for nothing."

The doctor told her what the message was and was back in slumberland in an incredibly short s.p.a.ce of time. Not so his wife. She was too thoroughly awake at last and dawn was beginning to peep around the edges of the window shades. She would not court slumber now but would lie awake with her own thoughts which were very pleasant thoughts this morning. By and by she rose softly, dressed and went out onto the veranda and looked long into the reddening eastern sky. Ever since she could remember she had felt this keen delight at the aspect of the sky in the very early morning. She stood for awhile, drinking in the beauty and the peacefulness of it all. Then she went in to her awakening household, glad that the little boy had 'phoned his "Pa" and by some means had got her too.

One midsummer night a tiny ringing came faintly and pleasantly into Mary's dreams. Not till it came the second or third time did she awaken to what it was. Then she sat up in bed calling her husband, who had just awakened too and sprung out of bed. Dazed, he stumbled about and could not find his way. With Mary's help he got his bearings and the next minute his thunderous "h.e.l.lo" greeted her ears.

"Yes."

"Worse tonight? In what way?"

An instant's silence. "Mrs. Brownson?" Silence. "Mrs. Brownson!"

Silence.

"d.a.m.n that woman! She's rung off."

"Well, don't swear into the 'phone, John. It's against the rules.