Part 19

(Covers her face; drops to her knees in front of the Doctor, her back toward him.)

Oh, I don’t care WHAT you do--if you’ll only save him!

DOCTOR

Here! Look! (The Inspector turns.) Oh, it’s wonderful! See! Already!

INSPECTOR

Oh, my son! My little son!

DOCTOR

Relieved! (Straightens up.) But it was a close shave!

INSPECTOR

Doctor, will you forgive me?

DOCTOR

Come! Get him into his bed. (Lifts the Boy in his arms and gives him to the Inspector.)

INSPECTOR

Oh, I was wrong! I was wrong!

DOCTOR

No, you’re right. Vivisection IS cruel. But disease is cruel--and, oh, how cruel is death!

INSPECTOR

Oh, I’m ashamed! Here I was, spying on you, fighting--

DOCTOR

I’m willing to be watched. But if you trust us doctors with the lives of your children, can’t you trust us with the lives of cats and dogs?

INSPECTOR

Oh, yes! Yes! (Starts to go; turns.) Oh, how can I ever thank you! You’ve saved my boy!

DOCTOR

Don’t thank me. Thank your brother, the horse!

(The Inspector goes out, murmuring to the Boy.)

Well, old fellow! (The Doctor pats the horse, and gives him sugar.) You saved him. And I WISH you could know it! (Stoops to stroke the cat.) Ah! Here’s a dead fly! (Picks up a fly from the floor.)

NOVELS BY ELEANOR GATES

THE POOR LITTLE RICH GIRL. 50 cents, net.