XXIII
FORCING THE ISSUE
In company with Dr. Edwards, Floyd spent a week in New York, acquainting himself with the requirements of a modern hospital. This was at the end of July. It was the only holiday that he proposed to allow himself. As a holiday, it was not very satisfying; he was so thorough in his investigations that he had not even time to look up the three or four college friends whom he was accustomed to see whenever he visited New York. One day, as he was coming out of St. Luke's, he met Bennett entering. "Hello!" he exclaimed in surprise, and they shook hands.
"I'm hot on the trail," Bennett said. "You see, when there are so many New York men in the competition, a fellow has to meet them on their own ground."
Floyd complimented him on his enterprise and wondered, somewhat anxiously, if Stewart would take similar precautions. It seemed to him improbable. Stewart was a theoretical kind of fellow who was too apt to get his knowledge of practical affairs at second-hand. It occurred to Floyd that when he returned to Avalon he might give Stewart a hint by telling him that Bennett had been inspecting New York hospitals and that it was a sensible proceeding. But he instantly decided that to drop such a hint as this would be unworthy of one who wished to be an impartial judge. Stewart, like the other competitors, must work out his own problems; it was not for one of the judges of the contest to supply him with initiative. Indeed, in his inhospitable frame of mind he would be more than likely to resent any suggestion that Floyd might put forward.
