Next time the Anglican and the Scot met it was in circumstances where
differences of creed are forgotten and good men stand shoulder to
shoulder. In one room of the house a clerk's wife was seriously ill
with influenza, and in another the Doctor was examining her husband--a
patient, hard working, poorly paid drudge, who had come home from the
City very ill. “My wife thinks that it's nothing but a bad 'eadache.
Don't tell 'er, Doctor, else it might go bad with 'er, an* she 'asn't
much strength; but I say, tell me, 'aven't I got diphtheria?”
“What makes everybody that gets a sore throat think he has diphtheria?
Well, I believe you have some grit in you, and don't want to be treated
like a child. You have, I'm sorry to say, and pretty bad; but you have
the spirit to make a fight, and I'll do my best.
“Yes, I'll see that no one in this house comes near you, and I'll try
to get a nurse for to-night, but they're hard to get just now. I'll come
back with medicine in half an hour; and, look here, Holmes, mind your
wife and bairns, and keep up your heart.
“No, Jinks, you must not come into this house: it's more than influenza.
Holmes has got diphtheria very bad; ought to have been in bed two days
ago, but the stupid ass stuck to his work. The mischief is that I can't
get a nurse, and he should not be left alone at night.”
“You, man alive, you're no fit for such work, and you would maybe catch
it.. I know you're not afraid, but... well, it's real gude o' ye, an'
I'll see ye settled for the night about eight.”
“That's the medicine, every three hours”--the doctor was giving his
directions to Nurse Jinks in the sick-room--“and let him have some
brandy and water when he's thirsty. Toots, Holmes, I know you could get
a bottle for yourself, but this is a special brand for sick folk. Oh,
yes, it'll go in the bill, risk me for that: every Scot looks after
himself. The minister is to stay all night with you, and what between
the two of us well see ye through.
“Here's a cordial for yourself, Jinks”--this outside the door--“and for
ony sake keep clear of his breath. If he takes a turn for the worse,
send the servant lass for me. I may be out, but they will know where to
get me. And, Jinks, old man, I withdraw that about Carlisle.... Ye'll go
to Heaven from either side o' the Tweed. God bless you, old man; you're
doin' a good turn the night...
“Yes, he's much worse than he was last morning; but it's not the blame
of your nursing: there's just one chance, and I'll try it. How do you
know about it? Well, yes, if you must know, I am going to use suction.
Get diphtheria myself? Maybe I may, and why should I not run the risk as
well as you, Mr. Jinks?... It's all right, man. I'm not angry. Neither
you nor me are cowards,” said the Doctor; “neither is Holmes, and he
must have his chance, poor chap. Yes, I would be glad of your help.
“No, you will not be needed at Holmes's to-night, and you've had enough
of it, Jinks. I've got a nurse, and Holmes is coming round first rate.
It's all right about paying the nurse; I'll see to that Man, ye would
pay for all the nurses in the district, if ye were allowed.
“Me, I'm as fit as a fiddle. Doctors can't afford to be ill; but you're
no the thing, Jinks. Come back to the manse with me this minute, I want
to have a look at ye. Yon were three hard nichts ye had”--the Doctor
dropped into Scots when he was excited....
“Sir Andrew's gone, and I wish we had better news for you and ourselves.
Don't thank me for telling the truth; no man would tell you a lie.
... You're all right, whatever happens, Jinks,” and he dropped his hand
within reach of the Father's, on whose face the shadow was fast falling.
“It will not be for some hours, may be not till morning, and I hope
you'll not suffer much... I'll come back after the minister has left and
stay with you till, till...”
“Daybreak,” said Jinks.
“Doctor,” Jinks whispered, during the night as they watched by his bed,
the Scot on one side and Peter, who would allow no nurse, on the other,
“the Scots kirk has seemed to me... as Samaria, but the Lord chose... a
Samaritan in His parable, and you are...that Samaritan,” and the Father
looked at the Doctor with eyes full of love. Just before sunrise he
glanced at the Doctor enquiringly.
“Yes, it's no far off now, an' the worst's past. Ye'll have an easy
passage.” They passed each an arm round his neck, and each took one of
his hands.
“Till Jesus comes Himself,” whispered Jinks, thanking them with his
eyes.
“O Saviour of the world, who by Thy cross and precious blood hast
redeemed us, save us, and help us, we humbly beseech Thee, O Lord.” This
which he had often offered for others, he now prayed for himself
very slowly. The light stole into the room and woke him from a brief
unconsciousness.
“I believe”... he said, “in the Life Everlasting,” and the soul of the
faithful servant was with the Lord, Whom, not having seen, he had loved.
When the Doctor left the Vicarage, although still very early, Bags, the
choir-boy, was on the doorstep and was weeping bitterly.