His
grandfather's regular physician was in attendance the greater part of
the night at his request, though there seemed nothing to do but await
the issue. Another distinguished member of the profession had seen the
case in consultation early in the evening, and the two had found
themselves unable between them to discover a remote possibility of hope.
In the early morning the watcher stole downstairs, feeling as if he must
for at least a few moments get into the outer world. His eyes were heavy
with his vigil, yet there was no sleep behind them, and he could not
bear to be long away lest a change come suddenly. The old man had not
roused when he had first spoken to him, and the nurse had said that his
last conscious words had been a call for his grandson. Goaded by this
thought, Richard turned back before he had so much as reached the foot
of the garden, where he had thought he should spend at least a quarter
of an hour.
As he came in at the door he was met by Roberta, cool and fresh in blue.
It was but five in the morning; surely she did not commonly rise at this
hour, even in May. The thought made his heart leap.
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