The Story of a Doctor's Telephone Part 6

"All right, Mamma, I'm going to make a cake now, but I can hear the 'phone plainly from the kitchen."

It wasn't long till a ring was heard. Gertrude dusted the flour from her hands and started. "Which 'phone was it?" she asked the maid.

"I think it was the Farmers'," said Mollie, hesitating.

So to the Farmers' 'phone went Gertrude.

"h.e.l.lo."

No answer.

"h.e.l.lo."

Silence.

She clapped the receiver up and hurried to the Citizens' 'phone.

"h.e.l.lo."

"Is this Dr. Blank's?"

"Yes."

"Is he there?"

"No, he was called--" Here a loud ring from the other 'phone sounded.

"He was called down to--" said Gertrude rapidly, then paused, unable to think of the name at the instant.

"If you will tell me where he went, I'll just 'phone down there for him," said the voice.

A second peal from the other 'phone.

"_Yes, yes!_" said Gertrude impatiently. "O, I didn't mean that for you," she hurried apologetically. "The other 'phone is calling, and I'm so confused I can't think. Will you excuse me just an instant till I see what is wanted?"

"Certainly."

She flew to the Farmers' 'phone.

"Is this Dr. Blank's?"

"Yes."

"Good while a-answerin'," grumbled a voice.

"I did answer but no one answered _me_."

"Where's the doctor?"

"He's down in the east part of town--will be back in a little bit."

"Well, when he comes tell him--just hold the 'phone a minute, will you, till I speak to my wife."

"All right." But she put the receiver swiftly up and rushed back to the waiting man. She could answer him and get back by the time the other was ready for her.

"h.e.l.lo, still there?"

"Yes."

"I've thought of the name--father went to Elijah Thornton's."

"Thornton's--let's see--have you a telephone directory handy--could you give me their number?"

"Wait a minute, I'll see." She raced through the pages,--"yes, here it is."

A violent peal from the Farmers' 'phone. "He'll think I'm still hunting for the number," she thought, letting the receiver hang and rus.h.i.+ng to the other 'phone.

"h.e.l.lo."

"Thought you was a-goin' to hold the 'phone. I've had a turrible time gittin' any answer."

"I've had a turrible time, too," thought poor Gertrude.

"Tell the doctor to call me up," and he gave his name and his number.

"All right, I'll tell him." She clapped the receiver up lest there might be more to follow and sped back.

"Here it is," she announced calmly, "Elijah Thornton, number 101."

"Thank you, I'm afraid I've put you to a good deal of trouble."

"Not at all."

As she went back to her cake she said to herself, "Two telephones ringing at once can certainly make things interesting."

One day in mid winter Mary sat half dreaming before the glowing coals.

Snow had fallen all through the previous night and today there had been good coasting for the boys and girls.

Ting-a-ling-ling-ling. Ting-a-ling-ling-ling. Ting-a-ling-ling-ling.

She started up and went to answer it.

"Is this you, Mary?"

"Yes."

"I'll be out of the office about twenty minutes."