The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-08-09
HnRN
By Sophle Kerr

!
 phasis, "-when he gets better, we'll take him to a hospital at once. But now-please be as pa- tient with us as you can" We certainly will, ma'am," de clared the two in chorus. And the cook added, with sympathy: We know what anxious hours 1t Is for you" Now there was nothing more to do except to wait for the consult tation, but that was not delayed. Amy and her father stood in the hall while the three men were in the sickroom. Doctor Holzmann, senior of the group spoke for them when they came out. Everything is being done that can be done and the right thing. Your husband has fighting chance-and he is fight ing. The nurses, luckily, are spe- cially skillful and conscientious. l have had both of them on cases of my own. I've had one of the night nurses, too" He looked at his watch-eternal constant gesture of all doctors-prepared to leave.
 Amy stopped him: "Is there. likely to be any change-soon ?"
 There may be change-either way-of the patients condition to- night. l anticipate nothing before that time."
 There may be a change, either way" repeated Amy, slowly, and there's nothing more anyone can do for him-nothing at all?"
 "I am sorry," said Doctor Ho!z- mann, but there is nothing." Doctor Gavin remained for a mo- ment as the others left. I'm conn., ing back again, later," he said to Amy. And I suggest that you get some rest and sleep"
 That's what I think too, Amy" said Professor Lowe. Why don't you come with me now to find hotel? And then I really think l must try to see Jane. We're in- truders here"
 "I'd rather stay right here,' said Amy. You go ahead, father"
 But I do mt like to leave you alone, under such circumstances"
 I'm not alone. Howard is here."'
 He still hesitated. 'Is there nothing I can bring you, my dear" he asked, ito make you comfort able ?-l'm so-so dull about such things-but-" .
 "Yes, you can bring me some thing. Go into store and buy me some knitting needles and some stocking wool. Tell them it's-for a soldier. Whoever waits on. you will know just what to give you. Every shops full of knitting stuff"
 But Amy"
 Father, please. He must live. must believe he's going to live! None of the doctors believe it, but 1 must! It helps me to believe it if I'm making something for him. Don't you see? If I should stop believing it, I'd die"
 "My dear daughter" said Pro- lessor Lowe, very gently, Il be- lieve Towards going to live. never believed anything else.s And I'll -bring you some knitting things if I can find any. I'm not very good at shopping, your mother says" He bent to kiss her and she clung to him for a moment. Then she was left once more alone with her fears.
 After a little she could not sit Sltll, SO ollC pSSdI lo "ol h GU tAS disordered room, picking up papers from the floor, pulling the odd looking pieces of furniture into what seemed their usual positions, settling books on the shelves, shak- ing cushions. At last she came to Jane's desk, which was in the chaos its owner had left it, the drawers half open, the top covered with a tossed-about litter of their contents. Amy touched it gingerly hating it. it seemed so much piece of Jane herself. But she forced herself to lay the papers and notebooks and letters together, and closed everything out of sight.
 Just as she had finished with this the cook came in, and would Mrs Jackson please tell her about the orders. There must, she said, be supper for the day nurses and a midnight lunch for the nurses who came on at night. And Mree and talked it over," added the woman, and we don't like the idea of you going out for meals. We want to serve your meals, too.
 Even to be near Howard con- stantly Amy felt she would not eat in James home. You're very thoughtful" she said, but my fa- ther has made arrangements out side. Perhaps, little later, when my husband is better and. knows me 1 do appreciate your kind ness.''
 Moving about, being obliged to talk and think of practical things, had brought her back to a more normal state and now she began to feel the heavy fatigue of all she had gone through. When Professor Lowe returned she was asleep. crumpled on Jane's white couch with one of Jane's black and white pillows under her head. He tried not to disturb her, but she wakened with start. He had a package in his hand.
 Copyright, 1884, by Sophie Kerr)
 (TO be Continucd)