When Jerome reached the house the doctor was scarcely within hailing distance; but the woman was out again, calling after him frantically: "Doctor! Doctor! Doctor Prescott! Stop! Stop here! Doctor!" Jerome sprang forward to offer his assistance in summoning him, but at that instant the man reappeared again and clutched the woman by the arm.

"Come back, come back in the house, Laura," he gasped, faintly, and yet with wild energy.
Jerome saw then that the man was ghastly, staggering, and yellow-white, except for blazing red spots on the cheeks, and that his great eyes were bright with fever.

Jerome knew him; he was a young farmer, Henry Leeds by name, and not long married.

Jerome had gone to school with the wife, and called her familiarly by name.
"What's the matter, Laura ?" he asked.
"Oh, J'rome," she half sobbed, "do help me--do call the doctor.
Henry's awful sick; I know he is.

He'd ought to have the doctor, but he won't because it costs so much.