“Very much,” she answered, quietly.  “One could hardly help liking work under Dr. Burns.”

“Why?  Do you think him a fine operator?”

“Very fine.  He is considered the best in the city, now, I believe, even though his office is out here in the village.  Of course it is not a great city, but his reputation extends out into the towns around.”

“He is an enthusiast in his profession, I know.  And you are one in yours, I see.”

“Do you see it, Dr. Leaver?  I thought I spoke quite moderately.”

“So moderately that I recognized the restraint.  You assist Dr. Burns whenever he operates?”

“Yes—­if I am free.”

“He can’t have been doing much lately, then.”

She glanced at him.  He was still leaning back against the apple-tree trunk, but his eyes were open and regarding her rather closely.  They were eyes whose powers of discernment, as Burns had said, one could not hope easily to elude.

“He is so interested in your recovery, Dr. Leaver, that he is willing, anxious, to spare me.  There are other capable assistants, plenty of them.”

“But none trained to his hand, as you are trained.”

In spite of herself, the quick colour rose in a wave and bathed her face in its tell-tale glow.  He smiled.

“I see.  It’s worth everything to an operator to have a right-hand man—­or woman—­like that.  One doesn’t often find a woman capable of taking the part, but, when one is, she is like a second brain to the operator.  Well, I’ll soon release you.  I don’t need to be coddled now, though it’s very pleasant.  I shall remember these walks and talks and hours with books.  If one must be disabled, it’s much to be looked after by one who seems a friend.”

“But—­Dr Leaver!—­” She spoke in some alarm.  “You mustn’t talk of dismissing me like this—­unless you are dissatisfied with me.  I know Dr. Burns is taking great satisfaction in having me give my time to you.  If I am helping you at all—­”

“You are.  But—­I must help myself....  Never mind.”  He closed his eyes again.  “Tell me about yourself—­as Dr. Burns’s assistant.  Do you enjoy making things ready for him?”

She saw that he would have it, so she answered.  “Yes, I suppose I take pride in having everything as he will want it.  I know quite well what he wants, by this time.”

“Yes.  And he can depend on you.  When the time comes for the start, you have yourself well in hand?  No quick pulse—­short breath?”

“Why, it would not be possible, I suppose, to be so self-controlled as that.  Even Dr. Burns is not.  He has told me, more than once, that his heart is pounding like an engine when he goes into an operation, or when he faces an unexpected emergency, in the course of it.”

“Ah!...  But it doesn’t affect his work—­or yours—­this racing of the engine?”

“One forgets it, I think, when one is once at work.  Dr. Leaver, look at that squirrel!  Out on the roof of the house—­at the back.  Do you see him peering over at us?  Inquisitive little creature!”