" This was from Captain
Stephen, the only one of the four now in active service.
"You all think it's best to have it done?"
"Why, it's as Wendell says: now's the chance to have the best man in
that line. You can rest assured the Woodbridges would never stop at
anything short of the finest. Besides, the Englishman's reputation is
international. Of course it must be done." This was Stuart again. The
cadet lieutenant had already acquired the tone of command--he was an
excellent cadet lieutenant.
But Mrs. Thorndyke looked past Stuart at her Uncle Chester, Colonel
Thorndyke, Civil War veteran. It was upon his opinion that she most
relied. He nodded at her.
"He's right, Nell," he said. "It's our chance. The boy seems to me in as
good condition for it as he'll ever be." He spoke very gently, for to
his mind, as to them all, rose the vision of a delicate little face and
figure, frail with the frailty of the child who has been for six years a
cripple.
So it was decided, with few words, that the great surgeon should see
David upon the morrow, to operate upon him at once if he thought wise,
as the local surgeon, Doctor Wendell, was confident he would.
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