Then, after a last agonizing effort he
sank helplessly into the abyss of sleep.
Meanwhile, on the floor below, sitting on the cold bare steps beside
the door of the elevator, two white-faced women waited anxiously. All
was silent in the high, narrow corridor except for the footsteps of
passing nurses, and the occasional sharp cry of pain, or groan of
weariness from some suffering patient.
"That's him!" cried Myrtella hysterically as one of these cries
reached her.
"No, no. He is sound asleep by this time. He won't know anything until
it is all over." Then as another cry brought Myrtella to her feet,
Miss Lady added, "Please, Myrtella, don't be so frightened. Those
cries come from the floor below."
Myrtella shook off her hand impatiently. "How long have they been
gone? Why didn't you tell me they was going to keep him hours and
hours?"
"It's only been twenty minutes. I know how anxious you are, but you
must try to be calm. If you aren't they won't let you go in the room
when they bring him down."
"Won't let me in the room!" Myrtella's face blazed with anger. "I'd
like to see 'em stop me! Who's got a better right? The doctor? The
nurse? You? There ain't none of you got the right to him I have.
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