Don't conceal anything." Mr.Carlton's lips trembled.
"Is it a--a tumor ?" He got the words out in a low, shaky voice.
"I think so," replied Doctor Hillhouse.

He saw the face of Mr.Carlton blanch instantly.
"It presents," added the doctor, "all the indications of what we call a fibrous tumor." "Is it of a malignant type ?" asked Mr.Carlton, with suspended breath.
"No; these tumors are harmless in themselves, but their mechanical pressure on surrounding blood-vessels and tissues renders their removal necessary." Mr.Carlton caught his breath with a sigh of relief.
"Is their removal attended with danger ?" he asked.
"None," replied Dr.Hillhouse.
"Have you ever taken a tumor from the neck ?" "Yes.

I have operated in cases of this kind often." "Were you always successful ?" "Yes; in every instance." Mr.Carlton breathed more freely.

After a pause, he said, his lips growing white as he spoke: "There will have to be an operation in this case ?" "It cannot, I fear, be avoided," replied the doctor.
"There is one comfort," said Mr.Carlton, rallying and speaking in a more cheerful voice.

"The tumor is small and superficial in character.
The knife will not have to go very deep among the veins and arteries." Doctor Hillhouse did not correct his error.
"How long will it take ?" queried the anxious husband, to whom the thought of cutting down into the tender flesh of his wife was so painful that it completely unmanned him.
"Not very long," answered the doctor.
"Ten minutes ?" "Yes, or maybe a little longer." "She will feel no pain ?" "None." "Nor be conscious of what you are doing ?" "She will be as much in oblivion as a sleeping infant," replied the doctor.
Mr.Carlton turned from Dr.Hillhouse and walked the whole length of the parlor twice, then stood still, and said, with painful impressiveness: "Doctor, I place her in your hands.