He was studying her face, and queer notions were entering his brain.

"Another question, please, and that is all.

Can his life be prolonged by an operation ?" "I am assured that he could not survive an operation." "He may ask you to--to perform one," she said, watching him closely.
He hesitated.

"You mean that he is willing to take the chance ?" "I mean that he realises it will make no difference, one way or the other.
The other doctors have refused to operate." "He will not ask me to operate," said Braden, but his soul shook within him as he spoke.
"We shall see," said she strangely, and then arose.

She came quite close to him.