"I rang your 'phone by mistake," said central. Mary trudged up the stairs again. "This is more tiresome than cleaning house," she said to herself as she went along. In twenty minutes the summons came. She leaned her broom against the wall and went down. "O, this is Mrs. Blank. I'm very sorry to have put you to this trouble--I wanted the doctor." She recognized the voice of her old pastor for whom she had a most kindly regard. "He is out, but will be back within half an hour now, Mr. Rutledge." "Thank you, I'll call again, but I wonder that you knew my voice." Mary laughed. "I haven't heard it for awhile, but maybe I'll be at church next Sunday, if minding the telephone doesn't make me feel too wicked." "It's the wicked that church is for--come by all means." "I didn't mean to detain you, Mr. Rutledge. It is restful, though, after dragging one's weary feet down to the 'phone to hear something beside all the ills that flesh is heir to. Come to see us soon--one day next week." Once more she wended her way upstairs and in about fifteen minutes came the ting-a-ling-a-ling-a-ling. "I surrender!" she declared. When she had gone down and put the receiver to her ear her husband's voice spoke kindly, "I'm back, Mary, you're released." "Thank you, John, you are very thoughtful," and she smiled as she took off her sun-bonnet and sat herself down. "Not another time will I climb those stairs this morning." * * * * * Mary sat one evening dreamily thinking about them--these messages that came every day, every day! Doctor, will it hurt Jennie to eat some tomatoes this morning--she craves them so? Will is a great deal better. Can he have some ice-cream for dinner? I can hardly manage Henry any longer, Doctor, he's determined he _will_ have more to eat. Can I begin giving him a little more today? Lemonade won't hurt Helen, will it? She wants some. Doctor, I forget how many drops of that clear medicine I am to give..... Ten, you say? Thank you. Dr. Blank, is it after meals or before that the dark medicine is to be given..... I thought so, but I wanted to be sure. We are out of those powders you left. Do you think we will need any more?.... Then I'll send down for them. How long will you be in the office this morning, Doctor?...... Very well, I'll be down in about an hour. I want you to see my throat. You wanted me to let you know how Johnny is this morning. I don't think he has any fever now and he slept all night, so I guess you won't need to come down today. Dr. Blank, I've got something coming on my finger. Do you suppose it's a felon?.... You can tell better when you see it?.... Well, I suppose you can. I'll be down at the office pretty soon and then I want you to tell me it's _not_ a felon. Mary seems a good deal better this morning, but she still has that pain in her side. Doctor, I don't believe Joe is as well as he was last night. I think you had better come down.