His little hand went to his throat. Terrified she thought of diphtheria. “Why didn’t you tell me you felt bad before I went off?” she chided.
He only moaned and tossed his head restlessly.
“I done call yo’ Pah, honey. He’s comin’ right home,” said Jane.
“Thanks, Jane. It’s nice to have someone so dependable.”
“I’ll take a look at that throat,” said Brad, “as soon as I wash my hands.”
Kitty turned the bedside lamp on the flushed little face when Brad came back. She had already sent for a spoon to hold his tongue down. After one glance inside that swollen throat Brad said, “Um, badly inflamed. We’ve got to do something about this.”
He and Kitty exchanged anxious glances. They heard steps running up the porch, and a moment later Mr. Carter was with them.
Kitty, met him at the door to whisper, “His throat. Oh, Dad, I’m so afraid of diphtheria!”
Before going near the boy Mr. Carter went to the bathroom to wash up. After a careful inspection of the throat he drew Kitty aside.
“Can’t tell. I’m going to take him straight up to the hospital. We’ll soon know there. You get out the car while I bundle him up.”
“I’ll drive you over,” offered Brad. “I have Bud Wilson’s car out there.”
Kitty wrapped Billy in a warm blanket so that only his nose was exposed. They closed all the car windows, and Kitty sat in the back while her father held the child on the front seat beside Brad.
She wondered contritely why this had to happen when she had left her brother practically all day. Maybe if she had been home she would have noticed that he was ill earlier.
Mr. Carter was allowed to stay in the room with Billy while Dr. Fletcher examined him. In the meantime Brad paced the hall with Kitty.
“I’ll never forgive myself for leaving him so much today, if there’s anything I could have done to prevent this,” Kitty said accusingly.
“That’s silly, Kit! No sense in blaming yourself. You know how kids are. They almost always come down sudden like that.”
“Do they?” She glanced hopefully at him through tear-dimmed eyes.
“Of course. I can remember how I used to play till I dropped, and in an hour or so would be burning with fever.”
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[Illustration: _Billy Moaned and Tossed Restlessly_]