“Why dost thou keep us here?” demanded Jacqueline growing bolder. “Let us go away where he can get a doctor and proper treatment.”
”’Tis not for thee to inquire why thou art here. That thou shalt perhaps know in due time,” answered the voice. “As for a doctor, it is impossible to procure one and inadvisable to bring him here if we could. Thou knowest much about nursing the plague, and hast had rare experience in the city. If thou dost need any special food or medicine for him we will try to procure it, but otherwise all must remain as it is. Dost think this case is very contagious?”
“Ah, very!” replied Jacqueline, slyly. “Even the odor from the room is enough to infect one, especially if one fears it greatly!” At this the door was slammed hastily shut, and when the children had heard the last departing footsteps of Dirk Willumhoog die away, they could not, in spite of their danger, repress a giggle of uncontrollable mirth!
