The
operation, no doubt, saved his life, but if it hadn't
been for you there would have been no operation. I want
you to take the money. If you do not, I will have to send
it back to Arthur's father and tell him all about it."
Pearl looked at him in real distress.
"And I'll tell everyone else, too, what kind of a man
I am--Jim here knows it already"--the doctor's eyes were
smiling as he watched her troubled little face.
"Oh, Doctor Clay," she cried, "you're worse 'n Danny
when you get a notion inter yer head. What kin I do with
ye?"
"I do not know," the doctor laughed," unless you marry
me when you grow up."
"Well," Pearl answered gravely, "I can't do that till ma
and me git the family raised, but I'm thinkin' maybe
Mary Barner might take ye."
"I thought of that, too," the doctor answered, while a
slight shadow passed over his face, "but she seems to
think not. However, I'm not in a hurry Pearl, and I just
think I'll wait for you."
After Camilla and Jim and the doctor had gone that night,
and Teddy and Billy and Jimmy had gone to bed, Pearl
crept into her father's arms and laid her head on his
broad shoulder.
"Pa," she said drowsily, "I'm glad I'm home."
Her father patted her little brown hand.
"So am I, acushla," he said; after a pause he whispered,
"yer a good wee girl, Pearlie," but Pearl's tired little
eyes had closed in sleep.
Mrs. Watson laid more wood on the fire, which crackled
merrily up the chimney.
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