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Rh an instant, and Dr. Wilkins, knowing that ironclad spirit of school days which would stand for no obstructions in its path, saw that a “blow-up” was coming; but, through a kindly thought for this woman’s comfort, did not say what his diagnosis was, until Nina, now actually with worry, said:—

“Tom Wilkins! Doctor Wilkins, if you wish,—I claim a natural right to know why my child is unconscious! And you, a physician, cannot, by law, withhold such information!!”

But Wilkins, trying to find a way out of a most unhappy condition of affairs, said:—

“Now, Nina, you know I wouldn’t hold anything from you if Virginia was critically ill, but that is not so. If you’ll only wait until morning you’ll find that I am right.”

But this only built obstruction upon obstruction to Nina’s strong will, until Dr. Wilkins, noticing coming total, had to say:—

“Nina, Virginia is drunk; horribly drunk.”

“Drunk!!” Widow Adams had to grab wildly at a chair, sinking into it; at first as limp as a rag, but instantly springing up, blood surging to a throbbing brow. “''Drunk! Drunk!! My'' baby drunk!! Tom, I thank you for trying to ward off this shock; but I’ll say right now, with my hand [ 125 ]