He liked the Captain, who had taken him out fishing several times on his previous excursions to East Harniss, and he remembered Dusenberry as a happy little sea urchin, but he simply couldn't interrupt his pleasure trip to visit a sick baby.
Besides, the child was Dr.Parker's patient, and professional ethics forbade interference.
"Captain Hiram," he said, "I am sorry to disappoint you, but it will be impossible for me to do what you ask.

Mr.Williams expected me this morning, and I am late already.

Dr.Parker will, no doubt, return soon.
The baby cannot be dangerously ill or he would not have left him." The Captain slowly turned away.
"Thank you, Doctor," he said huskily.

"I knew I hadn't no right to ask." He walked across the platform, abstractedly striking his right hand into his left.

When he reached the ticket window he put one hand against the frame as if to steady himself, and stood there listlessly.
The enterprising Mr.Blount had been hanging about the Doctor like a cat about the cream pitcher; now he rushed up, grasped the suit case, and officiously led the way toward the depot wagon.