In this determination his nurse supported him, for she could not bring herself to the conviction that amputation was absolutely necessary, and, besides, of all the melancholy and useless driftwood that drives hither and thither with the ebb and flow of human life, she could imagine none more melancholy and more useless than an Indian crippled of a foot.
Hence she supported the boy in his ultimatum, "One foot--me go die." "That foot ought to come off," repeated the doctor, beginning the controversy anew.

"Otherwise the boy will die." "But, doctor," said Mandy wearily, "just think how pitiable, how helpless that boy will be.

Death is better.

And, besides, I have not quite given up hope that--" The doctor snorted his contempt for her opinion; and only his respect for her as Cameron's wife and for the truly extraordinary powers and gifts in her profession which she had displayed during the past three days held back the wrathful words that were at his lips.

It was late in the afternoon and the doctor had given many hours to this case, riding back and forward from the fort every day, but all this he would not have grudged could he have had his way with his patient.
"Well, I have done my best," he said, "and now I must go back to my work." "I know, doctor, I know," pleaded Mandy.