' said I, 'this excitement must stop. As
medical adviser I order you all to leave the room.' They objected,
but I told them if they didn't, I should resign charge of the case
and refuse to give a death certificate unless there was an inquest.
That frightened them, and they all went out, the son-in-law escorting
Mrs. Bliss."
"We propped up the patient again, and I gave him some brandy. He
said, 'I must sign.' He took the pen and made a ragged, disjointed
capital 'T.'
"The pen dropped from his hand and he fell back upon the pillow. Ned
put the unsigned will in his pocket. I found that the end was very
near and I told Ned to call the family. Now, it's your turn, Ned."
"I told the family they had better go to their father's room at once.
Mrs. Bliss arose with the intention of following them but I told her
she was not one of the family; that she could remain with me as my
services were no longer needed. She turned to me and asked: 'Was it
signed?' I shook my head. Without a word she sank upon the nearest
chair and buried her face in her arms.
"I stood irresolute. The spectacle of this silent woman, speechless
because she was to be deprived of what was justly due her, was a
situation with which I did not know how to deal. I was saved the
necessity of saying or doing anything by the sudden entrance of Jack
who cried: 'Ned, it's all over; he's dead.
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