Doctor Luttrell's First PatientCarey, Rosa Nouchette
General
Doctor Luttrell's First Patient
Carey, Rosa Nouchette
Fiction; Love stories
Olivia felt as if she were dreaming as she followed the little
procession down the dark garden-path. Once she pinched her wrist
slightly to assure herself that she was awake. Mrs. Crampton held the
lantern, and the cook and the two maids carried the arm-chair, with
jolting uneven footsteps, that brought a suppressed groan to Mr.
Gaythorne's lips. As they lifted him on the couch he looked so white
that Olivia thought he was going to faint, and begged the housekeeper
to give him some wine; he was evidently in severe pain.
"It would be better not to touch the foot until the doctor comes," she
observed. And then Mrs. Crampton looked perplexed.
"My master does not hold with doctors, ma'am. I don't remember one
ever crossing the threshold since poor Miriam had typhoid fever. The
foot is swelling already, and it will be a job to get the boot off.
Ah, I thought so"--as Mr. Gaythorne winced and motioned her away--"he
will be afraid of one touching it!"
"My husband lives just opposite--the corner house with the red lamp in
Harbut Street. He is a doctor and very clever, and I am nearly sure
that he is in just now." Olivia spoke a little breathlessly and
anxiously; then she bent over the old man.
"If Mrs. Crampton does not know of another doctor would you mind one of
the maids running across the road for Dr. Luttrell? You are suffering
so much, and your foot ought to be treated at once. It is impossible
for any one to know if it be only a sprain until the boot is removed.
You fell so heavily that perhaps a small bone might be broken."
"Yes--send--send," returned the invalid, irritably. "Clear the room,
Crampton. You know that I hate to have a parcel of women round
me.--There is no need for you to go, madam"--with an attempt at
civility as Olivia was about to withdraw at this plain speaking. "Give
the lady a chair, Phoebe."
But Olivia, who had excellent tact, only smiled pleasantly, and shook
her head.
"I think it will be best for me to send the doctor across, there is
nothing that I can do for you until he comes."
She took the old man's hand as she spoke and pressed it gently.
"I am so sorry to leave you in such pain, but I hope you will soon be
relieved. Perhaps you will not mind my inquiring another day, but a
stranger is only in the way to-night."
Olivia's soft, well-modulated voice was so full of kindly sympathy,
that Mr. Gaythorne opened his weary eyes again.
"Thank you," was all he said; but he watched her keenly as she crossed
the long room.
Olivia walked so quickly that she was almost out of breath when she
reached her own door. The dining-room looked cold and comfortless.
Martha was on her knees before the fireplace trying to revive the
blackened embers with the help of the kitchen bellows, and Dr.
Luttrell, with a tired face and puckered brow, was watching the
proceedings somewhat impatiently. A tallow candle was guttering
uncomfortably on the table.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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