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friend or relative?"
"I am. "
"Daughter. First name?"
"I am not his daughter. "
"Oh, niece. Full name, please."
"I am no relation--just his--his friend."
Sim the clerk looked up sharply. Hamilton reddened, glowered at
him. "I understand," said Sim, leering at her. And in a tone
that reeked insinuation which quite escaped her, he went on,
"We'll put your name down. What is it?"
"Lorna Sackville."
"You don't look English--not at all the English style of beauty,
eh--Doctor?"
"That's all, Miss Sackville," said Hamilton, with a scowl at the
clerk. Susan and he went out into Twelfth Street. Hamilton from
time to time stole a glance of sympathy and inquiry into the sad
young face, as he and she walked eastward together. "He's a
strong man and sure to pull through," said the doctor. "Are you
alone at the hotel?"
"I've nobody but him in the world," replied she.
"I was about to venture to advise that you go to a boarding
house," pursued the young man.
"Thank you. I'll see."
"There's one opposite the hospital--a reasonable place."
"I've got to go to work," said the girl, to herself rather than to him.
"Oh, you have a position."
Susan did not reply, and he assumed that she had.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to call and see--Mr. Burlingham.
The physicians at the hospital are perfectly competent, as good
as there are in the city. But I'm not very busy, and I'd be
glad to go.
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