And as she spoke, Miss Sampson took her cup and saucer in her hand. That was to be kept waiting no longer for whatever visitor it might chance to be. She was taking her first sip as Dr. Gracier entered. "Don't move, Miss Sampson; don't let me interrupt." "I don't mean to! What sends you here?" "A new patient." "Humph! Not one of the last sort, I hope. You know my kind, and 'tain't any use talking up about any others. Any old woman can make gruel, and feed a baby with catnip tea. Don't offer me any more such work as that! If it's work that _is_ work, speak out!" "It's work that nobody else can do for me. A critical case of typhoid, and nobody in the house that understands such illness. I've promised to bring you." "You knew I was back, then?" "I knew you would be. I only sent you at the pinch. I warned them you'd go as soon as things were tolerably comfortable." "Of course I would. What business should I have where there was nothing wanted of me but to go to bed at nine o'clock, and sleep till daylight? That ain't the sort of corner I was cut out to fill." "Well, drink your tea, and put on your bonnet. There's a carriage at the door." "Man? or woman?" asked Miss Sampson. "A man--Mr. Henderson Gartney, Hickory Street." "Out of his head?" "Yes--and getting more so. Family all frightened to death." "Keep 'em out of my way, then, and let me have him to myself. One crazy patient is enough, at a time, for any one pair of hands. I'm ready." In fifteen minutes more, they were in Hickory Street; and the nurse was speedily installed, or rather installed herself, in her office. Dr. Gracie hastened away to another patient, promising to call again at bedtime. "Now, ma'am," said Miss Sampson to Mrs. Gartney, who, after taking her first to the bedside of the patient, had withdrawn with her to the little dressing room adjoining, and given her a _resume_ of the treatment thus far followed, with the doctor's last directions to herself--"you just go downstairs to your supper. I know, by your looks, you ain't had a mouthful to-day. That's no way to help take care of sick folks." Mrs. Gartney smiled a little, feebly; and an expression of almost childlike rest and relief came over her face. She felt herself in strong hands. "And you?" she asked. "Shall I send you something here?" "I've drunk a cup of tea, before I started. If I see my way clear, I'll run down for a bite after you get through. I don't want any special providings. I take my nibbles anyhow, as I go along. You needn't mind, more'n as if I wasn't here. I shall find my way all over the house. Now, you go." "Only tell me how he seems to you." "Well--not so terrible sick. Just barely bad enough to keep me here. I don't take any easy cases." The odd, abrupt manner and speech comforted, while they somewhat astonished Mrs. Gartney.