Dr. Kildare's Hardest Case by Max Brand

Author:Max Brand [Brand, Max]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Medical, Romance
Publisher: Roy Glashan's Library
Published: 2019-09-11T22:00:00+00:00

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CHAPTER 6

KILDARE, face down on a couch in his office, wakened with a haunting sense of something important that must be done at once. When he started up, he found Gillespie in the wheelchair beside him.

“What are you doing up at this hour?” demanded Kildare. “You’ve been promising you wouldn’t stir till—”

“Would you go and tell my doctor on me, Jimmy?” asked Gillespie, grinning.

Kildare studied afresh the face he knew best in the world, with the thunders in the brows always present and the gleam in the eyes, and the pain of incredibly long torment somehow colouring everything; over all was the pure white snow of the years.

“There’s good news for me,” interpreted Kildare. “You wouldn’t grin if it were about you.”

“You turned out to be right, they say, about Jervis. That’s all,” said Gillespie. “He’s raised up in bed and is practically asking for steak and potatoes.”

Kildare started for the door.

“But while you’re there, just listen to the heart, Jimmy,” said the old man.

“Yes, sir; thank you,” said Kildare, and he went up to the sick room.

In the upper hall, he passed big John Bender, walking head down, grim in thought. Kildare had to touch his arm to stop him.

“Ah, yes,” said Bender. “Good morning, doctor. Very fine work. I congratulate you.”

Kildare shrugged away the compliments. “I’ve made trouble for you?” he asked.

“It’s all in the day’s wash,” said Bender.

“This is all a new idea,” said Kildare. “She’s a girl who hasn’t done anything. Now she’s excited because she’s accomplished something. She adds the good of the job to the man who benefited from it. That’s the way they are, Mr. Bender.”

Bender laid a massive hand on Kildare’s shoulder. “She’s not like the rest,” he said. “I know what you mean, but this one is as deep as a well.”

He went on with his long, even stride, like a man carrying a heavy burden. So Kildare reached Jervis’ rooms a little depressed beneath that first high hope.

In the sitting room, Weyman rose up to crow. His eyes were blackened by the lack of sleep, but he looked as though he had just eaten the cream off the bottle.

“Who was the guy that had the idea? Who brought him here? Who oughta get all the credit?” asked Weyman.

Sylvia Harned came in from the sick room at the murmur of voices. “See him, doctor; please see him!” she said.

The night had passed over her without leaving a sign of fatigue. Her eyes were as clear as blue sky; and looking into them, Kildare remembered what Bender had said about this girl. He went in to see Jervis. The nurse introduced them.

“But I remember you,” said Jervis, holding out his hand. “I remember your voice when I was passing out. It was something I held on to, like a rope. I swung by it.” He smiled. “I’m better to-day, doctor, as you see. I’ll be back on the job—when?” he asked. “You’ll make it quick, I’m sure.”

“I hope so,” said Kildare, and put his stethoscope over Jervis’ heart.

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