"But," Symes evaded, "the most of this work is let to contractors and it's for them to determine; I don't feel like dictating to them." "Why not?" Her voice quavered with impatience. "They want new contracts. They'd make the arrangement if they thought it would please you?" "But," Symes answered coolly, "I don't know that it would please me." He saw the quick, antagonistic glitter which leaped into her eyes, but he went on calmly-- "Where the work is dangerous and the force is large your scheme is customary and practicable, I know, but upon a project of this size where the conditions are healthy, there is nothing to justify me in demanding a compulsory contribution of $500 a month for your benefit." She controlled her temper with visible effort. "But there will be dangerous work," she urged. "I've been over the ground and I know. There'll be a tunnel, lots of rock-work, blasting, and, in consequence, accidents." "That would be my chief objection to giving you the contract." "What do you mean?" His smile was ironical as he answered-- "You are not a surgeon." "Hell! I can plaster 'em up somehow." Symes stared. His expression quickly brought her to a realization of the mistake into which her angry vehemence had led her and she colored to the roots of her hair. "Your confidence is reassuring," he said dryly at the end of an uncomfortable pause. "But tell me,"--her callousness aroused his curiosity--"would you, admittedly without experience or practical surgical knowledge, be willing to shoulder the responsibilities which would come to you in such a position?" "I told you," she answered obstinately, "I can fix 'em up somehow; I can do the trick and get away with it. You needn't be afraid of _me_." "What _I'm_ afraid of isn't the question; but haven't you any feeling of moral responsibility when it comes to tinkering and experimenting with the lives and limbs of workingmen who have families dependent upon them?" "What's the use of worryin' over what hasn't happened?" she asked evasively. "I'll do the best I can." "But supposing 'the best you can' isn't enough? Supposing through inexperience or ignorance you blunder, unmistakably, palpably blunder, what then?" "Well," she shrugged her shoulder, "I wouldn't be the first." "But," he suggested ironically, "a victim has redress." She snorted. "Not a doctor's victim. Did you ever hear of a patient winnin' a case against a doctor? Did you ever hear of a successful malpractice suit?" He considered. "I can't say that I've known the sort of doctors who figure in malpractice suits, but since I think of it I don't believe I ever read or heard of one who ever did." "And you won't," she said tersely. "Why not? The rest of the world must pay for the mistakes of incompetency."