It needed no great powers of observation to see that the old man
placed great reliance on his new doctor and that the visit partook
of a social as well as a professional nature. Although they talked
low we could catch now and then a word or phrase. Dr. Scott bent
down and examined the eyes of his patient casually. It was difficult
to believe that they saw nothing, so bright was the blue of the
iris.
"Perfect rest for the present," the doctor directed, talking more
to Mrs. Martin than to the old man. "Perfect rest, and then when
his health is good, we shall see what can be done with that
cataract."
He was about to leave, when the old man reached up and restrained
him, taking hold of the doctor's wrist tightly, as if to pull him
nearer in order to whisper to him without being overheard. Kennedy
was sitting in a chair near the head of the bed, some feet away, as
the doctor leaned down. Haswell, still holding his wrist, pulled
him closer. I could not hear what was said, though somehow I had
an impression that they were talking about Prescott, for it would
not have been at all strange if the old man had been greatly
impressed by the alchemist.
Kennedy, I noticed, had pulled an old envelope from his pocket and
was apparently engaged in jotting down some notes, glancing now and
then from his writing to the doctor and then to Mr.
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