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XCIV

hilip asked Mr. Jacobs, the assistant-surgeon for whom
Phe had dressed, to do the operation. Jacobs accepted
with pleasure, since he was interested just then in neglected
talipes and was getting together materials for a paper. He
warned Philip that he could not make his foot like the oth-
er, but he thought he could do a good deal; and though he
would always limp he would be able to wear a boot less un-
sightly than that which he had been accustomed to. Philip
remembered how he had prayed to a God who was able to
remove mountains for him who had faith, and he smiled
bitterly.
‘I don’t expect a miracle,’ he answered.
‘I think you’re wise to let me try what I can do. You’ll find
a club-foot rather a handicap in practice. The layman is full
of fads, and he doesn’t like his doctor to have anything the
matter with him.’
Philip went into a ‘small ward’, which was a room on the
landing, outside each ward, reserved for special cases. He
remained there a month, for the surgeon would not let him
go till he could walk; and, bearing the operation very well,
he had a pleasant enough time. Lawson and Athelny came
to see him, and one day Mrs. Athelny brought two of her
children; students whom he knew looked in now and again
to have a chat; Mildred came twice a week. Everyone was