[_The_ DOCTOR _opens his saddle-bags, takes out his lancet and examines its keen point._] TOM What are ye goin' ter do with that knife? DOCTOR Bleed her, of course--it's the only thing to do---- [_Starts toward cabin._] ABE [_To his father._] Don't let him do it----! DOCTOR What's that? TOM You shan't bleed her--I don't know nothin' 'bout doctorin'--but I know that'll kill her---- DOCTOR I've a notion to give you the worst cussin' you ever had in your life, Tom Lincoln.... TOM 'Twouldn't do no good--Doctor---- DOCTOR [_Throwing his arms up._] 'Twould do _me_ good! I've rode all night--thirty-five miles--from my home in Kentucky across the Ohio, into this wilderness, just for you to insult me---- TOM I didn't mean to---- DOCTOR Well, you're doin' it--and I'd give ye the cussin' that'ud pay me for my trouble comin' up here--if I hadn't heard what you've been doin' for your neighbors, in this plague. There's no doctor in thirty miles---- You've been the doctor and nurse--mother and father to 'em all. And when they die, you go into the woods, cut down a tree, rip out the boards, make the coffin, dig the grave and lower the dead with a prayer--I'd like to cuss you, Tom Lincoln--but I can't--damn ye----! TOM I'm sorry, Doctor--but I just couldn't let ye bleed her---- DOCTOR All right--good-by---- [_With a snort of anger, the_ DOCTOR _throws his lancet into his saddle-bags, snaps them together, and starts for the gate._] ABE [_Following the_ DOCTOR _to gate._] Doctor----! DOCTOR What do ye want----? ABE [_Seizing his hand._] Please don't go--I'm mighty sorry we made ye mad--I didn't go to do it--you see---- [_He falters._] I love my Ma so, I just couldn't see ye cut her arm open. And Pa didn't mean to hurt yer feelin's--won't ye stay and help us? Can't ye do somethin' else for her----? [_Pauses._] I'll pay ye----! I'll work for ye a whole--year---- DOCTOR You'd work for me a year? ABE [_Eagerly._] I'll work for ye _five_ years if you'll just save her--just save her life--that's all--don't go--please, don't---- DOCTOR [_The_ DOCTOR _slips his arm around the boy, draws him close and holds him a moment._] You're a good boy, Abe---- ABE You'll stay----? DOCTOR