Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: in REPAIRING BETTINA " Medicine would be the ideal profession if it did not involve giving pain," said Dr. Strong, setting a paper-weight upon some school reports which had just come in. "You've been here three months and you haven't hurt any one yet," said Mr. Clyde easily. "No. I've been cautious, and perhaps a little cowardly. My place as Chinese doctor has been such a sinecure that I 've let things go. Moreover, I've wanted to gam Mrs. Clyde's confidence as much as possible, before coming to the point." The expression of Mr. Clyde's keen, good- humored face altered and focused sharply. He scrutinized the doctor in silence. "Well, let's have it," he said at length. "Is it my wife?" "No. It's Bettina." The father winced. "That baby!"hesaid. "Serious?" "On the contrary, quite simple. // it is handled wisely. But it means — pain. Not a great deal; but still, pain." "An operation?" Dr. Strong nodded. "Merely a minor one. I've sounded Mrs. Clyde, without her knowing it, and she will oppose it. Mrs. Sharpless, too, I fear. You know how women dread suffering for the children they love." Again Mr. Clyde winced. "It's — it's necessary, of course," he said. "Not to do it would be both stupid and cruel. Shall we call in the women and have it out with them?" For reply, Mr. Clyde pressed a button and sent the servant who responded, for Mrs. Clyde and her mother. Grandma Sharpless arrived first, took stock of the men's grave faces, and sat down silently, folding her strong, competent hands in her lap. But no sooner had Mrs. Clyde caught sight of her husband's face than her hand went to her throat. "What is it?" she said. "The children — " "Nothing to be alarmed about, Mrs. Clyde," said Dr. Strong quickly. He pushed a chair toward her. "Sit down. I...