Mary's eyes drifted down to the desktop as she felt for the pain that had plagued her since that morning. She studied the tooth and jaw intently, even raising her hand to press on the area through her cheek. But it was truly gone. Elation, mixed with puzzlement, began to rise up within her.

      “The pain is gone! I don't believe it!”

      “Don't say that!” the receptionist warned playfully.

      “The pain is gone- like it was never there!” Mary thought for a moment. “Where is this man? Can I thank him?”

      “He'll see the paper. He knows you're thankful.”

      “That's not enough. I want to tell him thanks. You don't know how afraid I am to come to the dentist! My teeth are so sensitive! I want him to know how much pain he has spared me!”

      “He knows. And he is really busy.” said the receptionist, firmly. “If everyone who was helped stopped his work to say thanks, he would never…”

      “Can I leave a note?”

      “Well, I suppose so.” The receptionist handed Mary a small pad of paper and the pen. Mary jotted down a quick note, then tore off the top sheet and folded it in two. She handed the note to the receptionist.

      “I don't know when he'll get to read it. Maybe not until the end of the day.”

      “That's okay. Whenever.” The two stood and moved toward the door. As they stepped into the hall, Mary pointed to the waiting room. “This is the way out, right?”

      “Yes.”

      “Okay. Well, thanks, again! I really appreciate it.” Mary made as if to turn to walk out.

      “You're most welcome,” said the receptionist, and she turned and headed down the hall.

      Mary walked slowly toward the waiting room. She glanced around behind her just as the receptionist stepped through a door further down the hall. The drilling sound intensified as the door was opened, then was muffled again as the door was shut. Mary turned and walked quickly down the hall to the same door. She opened the door quickly and stepped inside.

      Inside she saw the receptionist standing next to a dentist chair holding the note in her hand. A dentist was crouched over a patient in the chair. He looked up quickly as Mary stepped in. The drilling stopped and his face was clenched in a mean scowl.

      “Who are you?” he growled.

      Surprised, the receptionist turned around to face Mary. As she turned, Mary could see fully the patient in the chair. He had a beard and long hair. He was wearing only a loincloth and his face was swollen from hours of dental surgery. He turned his head to face Mary.

      “You'll have to go back to the waiting room!” snapped the dentist.

      The man in the chair held up his hand and patted the dentist on his arm as if to stay him. He looked at Mary and, despite his torment his eyes seemed to smile kindly at her.

      “I…I just wanted to say thank you.” Mary stammered. “You've spared me so much pain and worry.”

      “I know,” the man said thickly. He tried to smile. “And you're very welcome.”

      Mary paused a moment. “Can you feel what they're doing to you?”

      “Of course he can feel it!” said the dentist. Mary saw the dentist's hand drop to the patient's shoulder and squeeze it tenderly.

      The emotion that had been swelling in Mary's heart now rose quickly past her tightening throat and spread across her face. Her eyes began to tear.

      “Why do you do it?” she asked.

      “Because I can.” He smiled again weakly.

      Mary tried to speak, but could only mouth the words, “thank you”.

      The man in the dentist chair nodded and smiled at her, then calmly turned his head toward the dentist and opened his mouth.

      “Please…” The receptionist motioned toward the door.

      Mary turned slowly and stepped back through the open door. The receptionist followed her and shut the door. Mary winced painfully as the drilling sound started again.

      In the waiting room a crowd had gathered. The receptionist went straight to the counter and tended to the elderly man. Mary turned to give her thanks again, but saw that the receptionist was preoccupied. She politely nudged her way through the people waiting in line and went out onto the street.