Nurse Elisia Part 32

"Sit down, nurse," he said. "I am wearing you out with attending on me."

"Indeed no, Mr Elthorne--" she began.

"Sit down," he cried imperiously, and she quietly obeyed.

"Now go on, Neil."

"Of course I have studied your case very hard," said the son, "and I have certain ideas that I should like to test. I believe they would strengthen you, but I will not do anything without getting my opinions endorsed by a man of greater experience."

"Humph! That's sensible; eh, nurse?"

She bowed gravely.

"So I wrote to Sir Denton at length, telling him what I had arrived at, and asking him to come down the first free day he had, or, I should say, the first time he had a few hours, to see you, and give me his advice."

"Is that all?" said Mr Elthorne sharply.

"Everything, father."

"Humph! Well, that's right, my boy, quite right. Don't experiment upon me," he said, with a painful laugh. "After fighting through all this I can't afford to go backward. Keep the experiment for some poor hospital patient."

The words jarred on Neil, and he glanced quickly at the nurse, to see that there was a pained look in her eyes, but it pa.s.sed off as she saw that she was observed.

"Well, when do you expect him?" said Mr Elthorne.

"Almost directly, sir."

"And why was I not told?"

"For fear of agitating you, and setting you brooding over it. Besides, I was not sure when he would come down."

"Humph! Well, don't treat me as if I were a child, boy. I can think if I can't walk. And I must be got out now. Has that chair come down?"

"Yes."

"That's right. I'll be carried down on Friday when my girls come. If they call before then they are to be brought up. No, no; I know what you are going to say--that they will talk too much. It will do me good to hear Saxa's chatter and Dana's prattle. When did you see them last?"

In spite of himself Neil glanced at the nurse as he answered:

"I hardly know. On Sunday, I think."

"You hardly know! On Sunday, you think! My dear boy, what a dreamer you have become! Lucky for you that Saxa is what she is."

It was hard work for Neil to keep his eyes averted from the nurse.

"What will she think?" he said to himself.

The sound of wheels on the drive put an end to the conversation, Neil hurrying out to welcome the great surgeon, who declined all refreshment until after he had heard full particulars of the progress of the case and seen the patient.

"I could not have done differently," said Sir Denton at last. "You found Nurse Elisia invaluable, of course?"

"Invaluable."

"Then now let us go up and see him."

Neil led the way to where Ralph Elthorne lay helpless, but with his eyes gazing keenly at him as they entered.

"Ah, good-morning, Mr Elthorne," cried Sir Denton cheerily.

"Good-morning, nurse. Now, sir, you know why I have come?"

"Yes, my son has told me," replied the injured man, watching his visitor's expression. "Well? Am I worse?"

"No, sir; much better. There is no doubt of that. There is a vigour in your manner and speech that is most satisfactory."

"But I am always to be a helpless cripple?" said Elthorne bitterly.

Sir Denton did not reply for a few moments, but sat gazing in the patient's eyes.

"You wish me to answer that question?" he said at last.

"Of course."

"Then I will. I can answer a man of your strength of intellect, Mr Elthorne. Yes, sir. No surgical skill could restore you."

He stopped short and watched the patient intently. "That's well," he went on. "You bear the announcement manfully. Quite right, for your life has been saved, Mr Elthorne; and with the palliatives that mechanical skill can supply you with, you ought to and can enjoy many years of useful life. Your son has thoroughly explained to me his intentions regarding your future treatment, and I fully endorse his ideas. They will benefit you, but do not expect too much."

"Condemned to a life of helplessness!" muttered Elthorne in a low voice.

"No, sir, you have your brain intact," said Sir Denton. "Thank G.o.d for that."

"Yes," said Elthorne, gripping the surgeon's hand, "thank G.o.d for that.

I will not repine, Sir Denton, for I can think, and will, and be obeyed.

Do you hear, Neil? and be obeyed. The head is right."

"Yes, and the heart, Mr Elthorne. So no despair, sir. Meet your trouble like a man. You can be a successful general yet in the battle of life."

"Thank you, sir."

"My dear Mr Elthorne, I wish I could hold out hopes of an ultimate recovery of the use of your limbs, but, with a man like you, a frank, open statement is best. You know the worst, and you can get over the difficulties. I can say no more, unless I deliver a eulogy upon your son's skill."

"Don't do that," said the invalid grimly; "he is conceited enough already."

"Then I will leave you now and ask for a little refreshment. I have had nothing but a cup of tea since my dinner last evening."

He rose, shook hands, and then turned to Nurse Elisia.

"I miss you sadly, nurse, but I suppose you cannot be spared for the present."

"Spared?" cried Elthorne quickly. "No, no; certainly not."