Down below , at a safe distance , Charles Holland was waiting . The cold wind blew up to Eunice the odor of the disinfectants with which he had steeped himself . `` What does the doctor say ? '' he shouted . `` He thinks it 's the smallpox . Have you sent word to Victoria ? '' `` Yes , Jim Blewett drove into town and told her . She 'll stay with her sister till it is over . Of course it 's the best thing for her to do . She 's terribly frightened . '' Eunice 's lip curled contemptuously . To her , a wife who could desert her husband , no matter what disease he had , was an incomprehensible creature . But it was better so ; she would have Christopher all to herself . The night was long and wearisome , but the morning came all too soon for the dread certainty it brought . The doctor pronounced the case smallpox . Eunice had hoped against hope , but now , knowing the worst , she was very calm and resolute . By noon the fateful yellow flag was flying over the house , and all arrangements had been made . Caroline was to do the necessary cooking , and Charles was to bring the food and leave it in the yard . Old Giles Blewett was to come every day and attend to the stock , as well as help Eunice with the sick man ; and the long , hard fight with death began . It was a hard fight , indeed .
Christopher Holland , in the clutches of the loathsome disease , was an object from which his nearest and dearest might have been pardoned XXXXX shrinking .
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