XIX. “It Has Come!”

           OfcourseDr.CravenhadbeensentforthemorningafterColinhadhadhistantrum.Hewasalwayssentforatoncewhensuchathingoccurredandhealwaysfound,whenhearrived,awhiteshakenboylyingonhisbed,sulkyandstillsohystericalthathewasreadytobreakintofreshsobbingattheleastword.Infact,Dr.Cravendreadedanddetestedthedifficultiesofthesevisits.OnthisoccasionhewasawayfromMisselthwaiteManoruntilafternoon.

           “Howishe?”heaskedMrs.Medlockratherirritablywhenhearrived.“Hewillbreakablood-vesselinoneofthosefitssomeday.Theboyishalfinsanewithhysteriaandself-indulgence.”

           “Well,sir,”answeredMrs.Medlock,“you’llscarcelybelieveyoureyeswhenyouseehim.Thatplainsour-facedchildthat’salmostasbadashimselfhasjustbewitchedhim.Howshe’sdoneitthere’snotelling.TheLordknowsshe’snothingtolookatandyouscarcelyeverhearherspeak,butshedidwhatnoneofusdaredo.Shejustflewathimlikealittlecatlastnight,andstampedherfeetandorderedhimtostopscreaming,andsomehowshestartledhimsothatheactuallydidstop,andthisafternoon—welljustcomeupandsee,sir.It’spastcrediting.”

           ThescenewhichDr.Cravenbeheldwhenheenteredhispatient’sroomwasindeedratherastonishingtohim.AsMrs.Medlockopenedthedoorheheardlaughingandchattering.