Julia knelt down by the bed and laid her hand over the old man's hand.
To her surprise he opened his eyes. They moved from her face to the
clock on the mantel, as if he had lost count of time, and had not
expected her so soon.
"How are you, Dad?" she said, with infinite tenderness.
"He's better," Janey answered. "Aren't you, darling? You _look_ better!"
The doctor's look, with its old benevolent twinkle, went from one girl's
face to the other.
"Know--too--much!" he said, with difficulty, in his eyes the innocent
triumph of the child who will not be deceived. Quite unexpectedly, Julia
felt her lip tremble, tears brimmed her eyes. The invalid saw them, felt
one drop hot on his hand.
"No--no--no!" he said, with pitying gentleness. And, with great effort,
he added, "Seen--Jimmy?"
"Not yet," stammered Julia, shaken to her very soul.
The doctor shut his eyes, his fingers still clinging to Julia's. After
perhaps two full minutes of silence, he whispered:
"Be good to Jimmy, Julia! Be good to him."
Julia could not answer. Barbara found her, in her own room, half an hour
later, crying bitterly.
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