A Country Doctor and Selected Stories and Sketches eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 534 pages of information about A Country Doctor and Selected Stories and Sketches.

A Country Doctor and Selected Stories and Sketches eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 534 pages of information about A Country Doctor and Selected Stories and Sketches.

“What do you mean?” demanded Miss Prince, coldly, and quickly explained to their somewhat amused and astonished companion, “My niece has been the ward of a distinguished physician, and it is quite natural she should have become interested in his pursuits.”

“But I am really studying medicine; it is to be my profession,” persisted Nan fearlessly, though she was sorry that she had spoiled the harmony of the little company.  “And my whole heart is in it, Aunt Nancy.”

“Nonsense, my dear,” returned Miss Prince, who had recovered her self-possession partially.  “Your father gave promise of attaining great eminence in a profession that was very proper for him, but I thought better of Dr. Leslie than this.  I cannot understand his indulgence of such a silly notion.”

George Gerry felt very uncomfortable.  He had been a good deal shocked, but he had a strong impulse to rush into the field as Nan’s champion, though it were quite against his conscience.  She had been too long in a humdrum country-town with no companion but an elderly medical man.  And after a little pause he made a trifling joke about their making the best of the holiday, and the talk was changed to other subjects.  The tide was strong against our heroine, but she had been assailed before, and had no idea of sorrowing yet over a lost cause.  And for once Miss Prince was in a hurry for Mr. Gerry to go away.

XVII

BY THE RIVER

As Nan went down the street next morning with Captain Parish, who had been most prompt in keeping his appointment, they were met by Mr. Gerry and a young girl who proved to be Captain Parish’s niece and the bearer of a cordial invitation.  It would be just the evening for a boat-party, and it was hoped that Miss Prince the younger would be ready to go up the river at half-past five.

“Dear me, yes,” said the captain; “your aunt will be pleased to have you go, I’m sure.  These idle young folks mustn’t expect us to turn back now, though, to have a visit from you.  We have no end of business on hand.”

“If Miss Prince will remember that I was really on my way to see her,” said Mary Parish pleasantly, while she looked with eager interest at the stranger.  The two girls were quite ready to be friends.  “We will just stop to tell your aunt, lest she should make some other plan for you,” she added, giving Nan a nod that was almost affectionate.  “We have hardly used the boats this year, it has been such a cold, late spring, and we hope for a very good evening.  George and I will call for you,” and George, who had been listening to a suggestion about the ship business, smiled with pleasure as they separated.

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A Country Doctor and Selected Stories and Sketches from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.