"Yes, that'll be all right," he said, hastily putting up the receiver. * * * * * Ting-a-ling-ling-ling. "Doctor, when you come down, bring something for my fever--" "Yes, I will!" "And for my nervousness--" "Yes, yes." The doctor turned quickly from the 'phone, but it rang again. "And for my back, Doctor--" "Yes. _Yes!_" He put the receiver up with a bang and seizing his hat rushed away before there should be any more. * * * * * Three rings. "Is this Dr. Blank's?" "Yes." "Is he there?" "No, but I expect him very soon." "When he comes will you tell him to come out to Frank Tiller's?" "Does he know where that is?" "He was here once." "Lately?" "No, some time ago." "Please tell me what street you live on, so the doctor will know where to go." Mary heard a consultation of a minute. "It's on Oak street." "East Oak or West?" Another consultation. "North." "Very well. I'll tell the doctor as soon as he comes." "Tell him to come as quick as he possibly can." Five minutes later the office ring came. Mary went obediently lest her husband might not be in. She heard the same voice ask, "Is this you, Doctor?" "Yes." "We want you to come out to Frank Tiller's as quick as you possibly can." "Where is that?" "_You've_ been here." "_Where do you live?_" "We live on Oak street." "East or West?" "North." "That street runs east and west!" "Ma, he says the street runs east and west." "Well, maybe it does. I've not got my directions here yet--then it must be west." "It's on West Oak street, Doctor." The doctor was not quite able to locate the place yet. "Is it the house where the girl had the sore throat?" "Ma, he says, is it the place where the girl had the sore throat?" "It's just in front of that house." "She says it's just in front of that house and come just as quick as you possibly can." "What does she mean by 'in front of it'?" "Why, it's just across the street, and come just as quick as you possibly--" "Yes. I'll _run_." Mary smiled, but she was glad to hear her husband add a little more pleasantly, "I'll be out there after a little." When he came home he said, laughing, "That girl up there took the medicine I gave her and pounded the bottle to flinders before my eyes." "What for?" "O, she was mad." "What did you do then?" "Reached down in my pocket and took out another one just like it and told them to give it according to directions." "Nothing like being prepared." "I knew pretty well what I was up against before I went. The old complaint," said John, drawing on his slippers as he spoke. CHAPTER XIV. Mary had been down the street, shopping. "I'll drop in and visit with John a few minutes," she thought, as she drew near the office. When she entered her husband was at the telephone with his back toward her. "Hello. What is it?" "Shake up your 'phone, I can't hear a word you're saying." "Who?"