"My daughter, miss." "I must talk to her; she ought to know better." Miss Clibborn drew away the pillows very gently, smoothed them out, and replaced them. "I can't bear 'em like that, miss. The other is the only way I'm comfortable." "Nonsense, John!" cried Mary, brightly. "You couldn't be comfortable with your head all on one side; you're much better as you are." James saw the look of pain in the man's face, and ventured to expostulate. "Don't you think you'd better put them back in the old way? He seemed much easier." "Nonsense, Jamie. You must know that the head ought to be higher than the body." "Please, miss, I can't bear the pillow like this." "Oh, yes, you can. You must show more forbearance and fortitude. Remember that God sends you pain in order to try you. Think of Our Lord suffering silently on the Cross." "You're putting him to quite unnecessary torture, Mary," said James. "He must know best how he's comfortable." "It's only because he's obstinate. Those people are always complaining. Really, you must permit me to know more about nursing than you do, Jamie." Jamie's face grew dark and grim, but he made no answer. "I shall send you some soup, John," said Mary, as they went out, "You know, one can never get these people to do anything in a rational way," she added to James. "It's perfectly heartrending trying to teach them even such a natural thing as making themselves comfortable." James was silent. They walked a few yards farther, and passed a man in a dog-cart Mary turned very red, staring in front of her with the fixed awkwardness of one not adept in the useful art of cutting. "Oh," she said, with vexation, "he's going to John." "Who is it?" "It's Dr. Higgins--a horrid, vulgar man. He's been dreadfully rude to me, and I make a point of cutting him." "Really?" "Oh, he behaved scandalously. I can't bear doctors, they're so dreadfully interfering. And they seem to think no one can know anything about doctoring but themselves! He was attending one of my patients; it was a woman, and of course I knew what she wanted. She was ill and weak, and needed strengthening; so I sent her down a bottle of port. Well, Dr. Higgins came to the house, and asked to see me. He's not a gentleman, you know, and he was so rude! 'I've come to see you about Mrs. Gandy,' he said. 'I particularly ordered her not to take stimulants, and I find you've sent her down port.' 'I thought she wanted it,' I said. 'She told me that you had said she wasn't to touch anything, but I thought a little port would do her good.' Then he said, 'I wish to goodness you wouldn't interfere with what you know nothing about.' 'I should like you to remember that you're speaking to a gentlewoman,' I said. 'I don't care twopence,' he answered, in the rudest way. 'I'm not going to allow you to interfere with my patients. I took the port away, and I wish you to understand that you're not to send any more.'