第34章 DR.BALLARD(4)

You may tell her that I wanted you only to take it about four times during the day.If you are better when I come back this evening,Iwill not insist upon your taking any pellets on your tongue.Here is the other glass for you to drink from."With a few more kind words Dr.Ballard took his departure,and going downstairs met Mrs.Forbes."The little girl has a heavy feverish cold.She understands how to take her medicine.She will probably sleep a good deal.Let her be quiet."He went on to the study,where Mr.Evringham was waiting,sitting at the desk,his head on his hand,frowning at the yellow chicken.He looked up expectantly as the doctor entered.

"Well?"he asked.

Dr.Ballard came forward and seated himself in a neighboring chair.

"Do you know what you have upstairs there?"he asked in a low tone.

"For heaven's sake,Guy,don't tell me it's something serious--something infectious!"Mr.Evringham turned pale.

The doctor's sudden smile was reassuring."It does seem to be infectious to some degree,"he returned,"but I don't believe you'll catch it.""What are you grinning at,boy?"asked the broker sharply.

"Don't be alarmed,Mr.Evringham,but the fact is,that you have in your house a small and young but perfectly formed and well-developed specimen of a Christian Scientist.""What,man!"The broker grew red again.

Dr.Ballard nodded deliberately."Your little granddaughter belongs to the new cu

"That's it--'error,'"rejoined Mr.Evringham,"that's what she is often saying.This explains her vocabulary,in all probability.She has sometimes the strangest talk you ever listened to.Well,that's the mother's doing,of course,and not the child's fault.I maintain it is not the child's fault.With it all,Ballard,I tell you she's a very well meaning child--a rather winning child,in fact.Good natured disposition.I hope she's not very ill.I do,indeed.Ha!That,then,is why she was so excited at the thought of having a doctor.

Tomfoolery!"

"Yes,that was it.We've had some argument."The young doctor smiled.

"She doesn't consider me hopeless,however.She told me that she had mentioned to the Lord that she was sure I didn't know it was wrong to believe in materia medica."No one for years had heard Mr.Evringham laugh as he laughed at this.

The doctor joined him.

"I'm not surprised,"said the broker at last."If there is anything she does not mention to her Creator,I have yet to learn what it is.

How did you get around her,Ballard?"

"Oh,I used a little justifiable hocus-pocus about the medicine.

That's all."

"And you think it's not anything very serious,then?""I think not.Where there's so much temperature it is a little hard to tell at first with a child.This evening I shall make a more thorough examination.The ice is broken now,and it will be easier.She will be less excited.I see,"glancing at the yellow chicken,whose beady eyes appeared to be following the conversation,"the little girl has found her way even into this sanctum."Mr.Evringham cleared his throat as he followed the doctor's glance.

"No,"he responded shortly."She has not found her way in here yet.

That is--my chicken.She bought it for me."

Dr.Ballard lifted his eyebrows and smiled as he arose.

"Come back before dinner if possible,Ballard.I shall be uneasy."