The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1924-11-27
Chapter III

she round herself In large. lighted
room, with the sense of an institution,
though II was well furnished. She
saw the white enameled table. the
glass case full OF instruments, the
empty court outside; then John Lam
caster himself. alone, standing with
bent head behind a chair. on which
he was leaning.
AS Joan entered an inner door be-
gan TO open. Joan knew that the man
with whom Lancaster had been quar-
reling was inside a room behind II.
She dreaded lest he should come in;
but suddenly the door closed.
She looked at Lancaster again II
was still quite light within the con-
sulting room, but Lancaster, standing
with his back TO the window, was In
silhouette, so that Joan could not see
. his face clearly.
"well, madam" he asked, raising
his head.
ct came TO speak TO you about this
morning" began Joan hurriedly. 1T
means"
He indicated a chair. He was gaz-
ing at her with some embarrassment
Joan thought because OF the scene In
which he had just participated TEL
me the trouble" he began, as she
seated herself. drawing up his own
chair toward hers
Row Joan could see his face. and.
10 her establishment, II did not bear
the expression Of the smirking bully
whfm she had seen that morning, nor
yet of the man who had addressed
another man In such terms as one
might use TO slave. II was not an
unsmdly face. And IL was unmistak-
abb, that Of sick man
For a moment she remembered the
stories told Of his behavior In the OPP
Grating theater. Of the gentieness that
seemed to transform the man. as II
he possessed dual personality. Then
she was recalled to herself by Ian
casters repetition Of his remark
Joan rose up hastily. She realized
that the doctor had mistaken her for
a patieri. Her face meant nothing
IN him. INV more than her dlstress OF
the day had affected him. With
nervous movement she unfastened her
clofk. disclosing her uniform
.I am Miss Wentworth" she ex-
p,sined. ~I came TO tell you--I came
10 say Then. treading out her
pride once more. II came 10 ask II
you won't reconsider your decision TO
suspend me. Ny work means every
thing to me. II is my life work. my
vocation. always wanted TO be
nurse I felt that IL was my task to
help alleviate suffering. Doctor Ian
caster. apart from my own interests
7 want TO graduate to be able TO J elp
others Won't you give me another
opportunity
Che smoke with her hands uncon-
sc,ously ciasped before her. the rec
oIlect,on OF her earlier hopes the
Thought Of their Illustration brought
q ouixer into her voice. When she
stopped she saw that Lancaster was
looking NJ her with obvious Interest
-Ten me about this morning he
said quietly
u had 70 corne away without
hressfast. and the fumes q the ether
made me faint. was nearly fainting
whom ron asked me FOR tie scnipei.
and couldn't see the fray. Indeed
!, uas not the operation that made
~. m have never been reprimand-
- 49,, The lady superintendent
- ,oia me several times that the
s,,sr,,ai anprecfzted mr. work. SO
nones rau would e willing to over
Ioek nv niunder and iet me graduate
Lancaster looked At her with sin
rular expression that seemed to mask
bic thoughts. She could not tell how
her plea had impressed him when
BE spoke she was dumfouDded ~ The
ssrshness and casuslness q bis tone
~why have yov come to my house
dsu thIss' be asked Ihh 10 lot