"Why, easily, sir, if the patients will only let me
alone. But with that bell going thirty times an hour,
it's hard to say what you are going to do."
This with her funny manner set the ladies
laughing, and the whole business seemed lighter and
easier. I promised to have the room ready by eight
o'clock. Mrs. La Force arranged to bring her son round
at that hour, and both ladies thanked me a very great
deal more than I deserved; for after all it was a
business matter, and a resident patient was the very
thing that I needed. I was able to assure Mrs. La Force
that I had had a similar case under my charge before--
meaning, of course, poor "Jimmy," the son of Lord
Saltire. Miss Williams escorted them to the door, and
took occasion to whisper to them that it was wonderful
how I got through with it, and that I was within sight of
my carriage."
It was a short notice, but we got everything ready by
the hour. Carpet, bed, suite, curtains--all came
together, and were fixed in their places by the united
efforts of Miss Williams, Paul, and myself. Sharp at
eight a cab arrived, and Fred was conducted by me into
his bedroom. The moment I looked at him I could see that
he was much worse than when I saw him with Dr. Porter.
The chronic brain trouble had taken a sudden acute turn.
His eyes were wild, his cheeks flushed, his lips
drawn slightly away from his teeth. His temperature was
102@, and he muttered to himself continually, and paid no
attention to my questions.
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