"Do you see, you are to have a better nurse than you deserve?" he said.
"Some things are," answered the doctor; "not a brave woman, or a gentle man."
"Send Daisy away from this place. You know she ought not to be here; and you can forbid it."
"You overstate my power, my friend," said the doctor. "Shall we see how you are getting along to-day."
Preston's eye came to me again, silently, with reluctance and regret in it. I was touched more than I chose to show, and more than it was safe to think about."
"She does not know. Your cousin, Miss Randolph, has given one of his arms for his cherished cause."
"And one of my legs too," said Preston. "If it would do the cause any good, I would not care; but what good does it do? That's what I don't like about powder."
I had much ado to stand this communication. The work of examining and dressing Preston's wounds, however, immediately began; and in the effort to do my part, as usual, I found the best relief for overstrained nerves. I think some tears fell upon the bandages; but no word of remark was made by either physician or patient, till the whole business was concluded. Dr. Sandford then carried me off to a nice, warm, comfortable apartment, which he told me I might always hold as my own whenever I had time to be there; he seated me in a chair, and a second time poured me out a glass of wine, which he took from a cupboard.
"I do not drink it," I said, shaking my head.
"I never drink it," I said. "I cannot touch it, Dr. Sandford."
"You must take something. What is the matter with the wine? Is it disagreeable to you?"
"I will not help anybody else drink it," I said, looking at him and forcing a smile; for I was tired and very sick at heart.
"Not if I do not take it. They will if I do."
"Are you going upon that old childish plan of yours?" said the doctor, sitting down beside me and looking with a wistful kind of tenderness into my face. "Are you bent still upon living for other people, Daisy?"
"You know, the Master I follow did so; and His servants must be like him," I said, and I felt my smile was stronger and brighter this time. Dr. Sandford arose, summoned an attendant and sent him off for a cup of tea for me; then saw me take it.
"Now," said he, "are you fixed in the plan of devoting yourself to the care of this ungracious cousin?"