"Well, I've heard it said a doctor's wife knows even less than many others about ills and their remedies because she is so used to depending on her husband that she never has to think of them herself. I guess I'd better talk to the doctor. I just thought I'd see what you said first. Good-bye." "My skirts are clear of any advice in that direction," thought Mary, her mind reverting again to the lemonade. "Nettie couldn't have 'phoned me at a more opportune minute to get the right answer. But I wonder if John is back. I'll see." She rang. "Hello." "Say, John, Mr. Cowan 'phoned awhile ago, and his wife was very thirsty and craved lemonade and--don't scold--I took the liberty of saying--it's awful for a thirsty person to have to wait and wait you know--and so I said I thought _you_ would say she might have it." "I hope you weren't this long about it," laughed her husband. "Then it was all right?" "Certainly." Much relieved Mary hung up the receiver. "What needless apprehension assails us sometimes," she thought, as she went singing to her broom. "Just the same, I won't prescribe very often." CHAPTER XI. It was five o'clock in the morning when the doctor heard the call and made his way to it. His wife was roused too and was a passive listener. "Yes." "Yes." "Down where? I don't understand you." "On what street?.... Down near Dyre's? I don't know any such family." Here Mary called out, "Maybe they mean Dye's." "Dye's? Yes, I know where that is..... Galliver--that's the name is it? Very well, Mrs. Galliver, I'll be down in a little while.... Yes, just as soon as I can dress and get there." He proceeded to clothe himself very deliberately, but years of repression had taught Mary resignation. Ting-a-ling-ling-ling. Three rings. The doctor went with shoe in hand and again his wife was a listener. "Yes..... Yes..... I'm just getting ready to go to see a patient...... It's a hurry call, is it? All right then, I'll come there first...... Yes, right away." As he put up the receiver he said to his wife, "Somebody else was trying to get me then, too, but couldn't make it." Mary thought it well he couldn't since her husband was only one and indivisible. "But he will probably try again after a little," she thought, "and John will be gone and I won't know just where to find him." Ting-a-ling-ling-ling-ling-ling. Collar in hand the doctor went. "Yes..... Who is this?.... Come where?.... Jackson street. Right next to Wilson's mill?.... On which side? I say on which side of Wilson's mill?.... West? All right, I'll be down there after awhile...... No, not right away; I have to make two other visits first, but as soon as I can get there." When at last he was dressed and his hand was on the door-knob the 'phone called him back. "You say I needn't come..... Very well. I'll come if you want me to though, Mrs. Galliver. I'm just starting now. I have to see another patient first."--