"
"I cannot foresee the result, my good woman."
"Do you think there is any hope for me?"
"Certainly there is."
"Tell me, I implore you, what you think of my case," pleaded the
sufferer, in feeble tones. "I felt this morning that my end was
very near."
"O, no; it is not so bad as that. I should say you had as many as
five chances in ten to be on your feet in a fortnight."
"Do you think so?"
"I do not regard your case as a critical one."
"I wish you had told me so last night. It would have saved my
poor child a very bitter pang."
"I was not aware that you thought yourself alarmingly sick, or I
certainly should; for such an opinion on your part would do more
to bring about a fatal result than could be counteracted by the
most skilful treatment. A physician does not hold the issues of
life and death; he can only assist nature, as the patient may by
a cheerful view of his case. This is not your old complaint; you
have taken cold, and have considerable fever; but I think it is a
very hopeful case."
The return of Katy interrupted the conversation; but the doctor's
opinion was immediately imparted to her, and it sent a thrill of
joy to her heart.
"I was low-spirited this morning, Katy," said Mrs. Redburn, when
the physician had gone. "I really felt as though my end was
rapidly approaching.
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