RAB AND HIS FRIENDS 



Next day, my master, the surgeon, examined 

 Ailie. There was no doubt it must kill her, 

 and soon. It could be removed it might 

 never return it would give her speedy relief 

 she should have it done. She curtsied, 

 looked at James, and said, " When ? " " To- 

 morrow," said the kind surgeon a man of few 

 words. She and James and Rab and I re- 

 tired. I noticed that he and she spoke little, 

 but seemed to anticipate everything in each 

 other. The following day, at noon, the stu- 

 dents came in, hurrying up the great stair. 

 At the first landing-place, on a small, well- 

 known black board, was a bit of paper fastened 

 by wafers, and many remains of old wafers 

 beside it. On the paper were the words 

 " An operation to-day. J. B., Clerk" 



Up ran the youths, eager to secure good 

 places : in they crowded, full of interest and 

 talk. "What's the case?" "Which side 

 is it?" 



Don't think them heartless ; they are neither 

 better nor worse than you or I : they get over 



28 



