[Sidenote: Decaying Teeth]
Something was the matter with Dora Payne. Miss Hubbart, her teacher, was
astonished at her stupid answers and generally inattentive attitude.
Usually Dora was alert and smiling; today she was morose, even to
tearfulness. Miss Hubbart finally said, “What is the matter, Dora?”
“My tooth aches,” said Dora.
“Did it ever ache before?”
“Yes, it ached last week and mamma took me to the dentist.”
“Charlotte, you may go with Dora to the dentist to see if he can stop
her toothache,” said Miss Hubbart.
The girls were gone only about half an hour, for it was but a few blocks
to the office of the only dentist in the village. After they came back
Dora was relieved and went on with her school work as usual.
When Miss Hubbart returned to the schoolhouse for the afternoon session
that day, she was greeted by Mr. Payne, Dora’s father, who said:
“Dora says you sent her to Dr. Hammond’s office today.”
“Yes, she was suffering with toothache.”
“What I want to know is, who is going to pay the bill?”
“Surely you wouldn’t want Dora to suffer with toothache.”
“That tooth has troubled Dora before and my wife took her to Dr. Hammond
and he said that she’d lose this tooth in a year or so, and we concluded
not to have it worked on. When she gets her last set of teeth it will
not be money thrown away to have them filled.”
“But you wouldn’t want Dora to suffer for a year, surely.”
“Maybe we know how to take care of our own child without the help of a
stranger. I’ll thank you to keep on your own ground after this.” And Mr.
Payne stalked away with anger showing even in his walk.