All over the world. But he doesn't think much of other
doctors. L-licensed h-humbugs, he calls them."
She drew away a little, her face between her hands, and he felt that
somehow he had failed again--that she had slipped through his fingers.
If only for a moment she had looked up to him and believed in him the
evil spirit that was climbing up on to his shoulders would have fled
away. There was a stout piece of stick lying amidst the rubble at his
feet, and he took it up and felt it as a swordsman tests his blade.
"I'm going to be a doctor too," he said truculently. "A big doctor. I
shall make piles of money, and have three ass-assistants. P'r'aps, if
you're any good you shall be one of them."
She did not answer. The intent, observing look had come into her eyes.
The cool wind lifted the brown hair so that it was like a live thing
floating about her head. She seemed as lovely to him as his mother.
He wanted terribly to say to her, "It's my birthday, Francey, and they
haven't even wished me many happy returns;" but that would have shown
her how little he was, and how unhappy. Instead, he began to lunge and
parry with an invisible opponent, talking in a loud, fierce voice.
"I wish the others would come. I've got a topping plan. Edith goes
shopping 'bout six o'clock when it's almost dark. We'll wait at the
corner of John Street and jump out at her and shriek like Red Indians.
And then she'll drop dead with fright.
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