a long time, judging by the
responsibilities, that are dumped on me just because I am the doctor's
wife. And this doctor man of mine hardly knows whether to be happy or
miserable. He's happy, because he has found the very place he wanted.
And he's miserable because he ought to be learning the language and
can't get away from the work that crowds in on him."

"And you yourself, Marcia," J.W. asked, "are you happy or miserable, or
both?"

"She's as mixed up as I am, old man," Joe answered for her. "Talk about
the language! I don't hanker after learning it, but I've got to, some
time. If they would just let me be a sort of deaf-mute doctor I'd be
much obliged. The work is fairly maddening. You know, it was a question
of closing up this hospital or putting me in as a green hand. Of course
there are the nurses, and a couple of students. But I'm glad they put me
in; only, look at the job! Never a day without new patients. A steady
stream at the out-clinic. Why, J.W., I've done operations alone here
that at home they'd hardly let me hold sponges for. Had to do 'em."

"Well," J.W. commented, "isn't that what you came for?"

"It is," Marcia answered--these two had a queer way of speaking for each
other--"and it would be a good plenty if the hospital were all. But we
are putting up a new building to take the place of an adobe horror, and
Joe has to buy bricks and deal with workmen and give advice and dispense
medicine and do operations, all with the help of a none too sure
interpreter. He's the busiest man, I do believe, between here and
Foochow."

J.W. wanted to draw Dr. Joe out about the work in general. What of the
evangelistic work, and the educational work, and all the rest.

But Dr. Joe would not rise to it. "I'll tell you honestly, J.W., I just
don't know. Haven't had time to find out. When I got here I found people
standing three deep around the hospital doors, some wanting help for
themselves, and some anxious to bring relatives or friends. I was at
work before anything was unpacked except my instruments. And I've been
at it ever since. Everything else could wait, but all this human misery
couldn't. And I don't know much of what the evangelistic value of it all
will be. We have a Bible woman and a teacher in the school who are very
devoted. They read and pray every day with the patients, and as for
gratitude, I never expected to be thanked for what I did as I have been
thanked here. I'll tell you one thing; I didn'