Better wait until the crisis is over--then you may
take the place of the nurse whenever you like."
Shortly thereafter the old people and Francie left for their hotel; then
Maurice had to see about Nina, whom they had left in the up-stairs room.
"Just as you wish," she said, with a kind of pathetic humility in her
eyes. "If I can be of any service, I will stay all the night; a chair,
here, will be enough for me. Indeed, I should be glad to be allowed--"
"No, no," said he, "at present you could not be of any use; you must get
away home and have a sound night's rest after your travelling. I have
just called the nurse; she will be down in a minute. And if you will put
on your things I will send for a four-wheeled cab for you; or I will
walk along with you until we get one."
All day long Nina had betrayed no outward anxiety; she had merely
listened intently to every word, watched intently the expression of
every face, as the doctors came and went. And now, as Mangan shut the
door behind them, he did not care to discuss the chances of the fever;
it was a subject all too uncertain and too serious for a few farewell
words. But there was one point on which, delicate as it might be, he
felt bound to question her.
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