CHAPTER XIII of Dr. LaTrell's First Patient by Rosa Neuschette Carey. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Fresh complications. It is best to be cautious and avoid extremes. Plutarch.  This time she was welcomed so warmly, and Miss Williams seemed so unfeintedly pleased to see her that she felt she had done the right thing, and after that she went frequently to Brunswick Place. These circumstances certainly favored the rapid growth of their intimacy. Greta, who had caught a severe cold, was obliged to remain closely confined to the house, and Dr. LaTrell, who was sincerely sorry for the lonely girl, encouraged his wife to go as often as possible. She has not a soul belonging to her, at least in England, he said once, though she has relations in New Zealand, uncles and aunts and cousins. There is a colony of Williams' in Christchurch, the worst of it is people seem to have left off calling. Her father made himself so disagreeable. It is hard lines for her poor girl, I believe Mrs. Tolman looks her up occasionally, then Olivia at the mention of the vicar's wife made a naughty little face. Miss Williams rather dreads her visits.  Mrs. Tolman is an excellent woman, but she rubs one up the wrong way. I always feel bristly all over after one of her parochial visits, and I know Aunt Madge feels the same. When the vicar is with her, he seems to tone her down somehow, but the very swing of her gown as she enters the room, and the way she sits down as though she were taking possession of one's chair irritates my nerve. But though Marcus left, he did not contradict this. The new friendship gave Olivia a great deal of pleasure, since her school days she had never enjoyed the society of any one of her own age. The hardworking young governess had had scant leisure for cementing intimacies. It had always been a wonder to her how Marcus had managed his courting, and she often told him so.  She had a vague idea that he had detained her for such a long time, talking on the doorstep that her mother had come down, and invited him to wait until the rain was over. But Marcus always repudiated this and declared that she had talked so fast that he found it impossible to get away. But after this he and her mother had seemed to play into each other's hands. Perhaps under other circumstances, Olivia would hardly have found Miss Williams so attractive and interesting, for though amiable and affectionate, she was by no means clever. Her accomplishments consisted in a tolerable knowledge of French, and Italian picked up abroad, but she had no decided tastes. She read little, knew nothing of music, and her chief pleasure seemed the care of her flowers and her beautiful needlework, for some French nuns had taught her embroidery and lace making. Olivia, who was intellectual and well-read and who thought deeply on most subjects, had soon reached the limits of Greta's knowledge, but happily there is culture of the heart as well as of the head. Greta had plenty of sweet, womanly virtues. She was patient by nature and capable of much long suffering and endurance. Her affections were warm and deep, but she had hitherto found her fitting scope for them. The sad gray eyes told their own story. Her youthful bloom had been wasted amid sterile surroundings. Greta Williams had one of those strong, womanly characters that are meant to be the prop of weaker natures that are veritable towers of strength in ours of adversity. It was for this that Olivia grew to love her when she knew her better. She is so patient, she said once, when she was discussing her with Mrs. Brodery. She has so much staying power, and then she never quite loses her faith in anyone. However hopeless they seem, even Marcus has said more than once that her pluck is wonderful, but of course it wears her out. You must bring her to see me, Livy, returned Aunt Maj. We will have a little tea party, and Dev shall distinguish herself, but Greta only smiled faintly when Olivia repeated this.  Oh, Mrs. Latrell, we have had such a dreadful time. Nurse only left him a minute, and he managed to get to the brandy. It must have been Robert's fault that the cellaret was unlocked, but ever since he has seemed quite mad. We were obliged to send for Dr. Latrell. And then at the thought of the grim shadows brooding over that unhappy home, Olivia's little plans seemed out of place. Mr. Gaythorn kept his promise, and before Robert Barton left them, the picture was sent to the corner house. Mr. Barton, who had just finished his sketch of Dot and the Kitten, had that moment invited Olivia to look at it. I may touch it up a bit more, but I suppose it will do now, he said, in a tone of complacency. Do, it is beautiful, it is perfectly charming. Oh, if we were only rich enough to buy it for ourselves. But looking at him severely, you know what my husband said this morning, Mr. Barton, that he would not allow me to accept it as a gift. You are to take it round to that picture dealers in Harbert Street, and see if they will not give you a fair price for it. And then you must set about something bigger for the Royal Academy. And though Robert Barton took his head in a melancholy dissenting fashion, he knew that Dr. Latrell had been right. I should have liked you to have it, he said with a sigh, but I suppose beggars ought not to be generous. If I only get on, I will paint Dot again. And then Martha had come in with the picture. There is no light now, I shall have to wait till tomorrow, but of course your old gentleman knows that. Robert Barton always spoke of him as the old gentleman, but when Olivia had first mentioned his name, he had seemed a little startled and had questioned her about him. He lives alone, he said presently. It is rather an uncommon name.  Perhaps it is one of those. They make plenty of money sometimes. And then the subject had dropped. Olivia, who had promised to spend an hour or two with Mr. Gaython that evening, looked at the clock and then folded up her work. But as she put it away, a sudden quick exclamation from Robert Barton made her look at him. He was staring at the picture. What it is my own work, he said with a flush of pleasure. The picture I painted at Beirut, and that I sold for a mere song. Of course, the fellow cheated me. He was a mean sort of chap, but it is not so bad, after all. And what's this, Goddard? Well, of all the cards, he has put his own name to it, but I swear I painted it. Abdul and his son Hassan were my models. Oh, I see by your face that you like it, Mrs. Lettrel. I don't think myself that I ever did anything better. Isn't it Carlisle that says, genius is the capacity for taking infinite pains? Well, I took lots of pains with that picture. I meant to get it into the Royal Academy, but ill luck obliged me to sell it. You painted that picture of the prodigal son, exclaimed Olivia, excitedly. Oh, yes, I painted it all right. It was a nasty trick of Goddard's putting his name to it. Look, that was Abdul's wife, the one with the diss stat. The other two were two women, saw sitting under a palm tree one evening. Well, your old gentleman has sent it to the right person to touch it up. It shall be done tomorrow before I go.  Oh, Mr. Gaythorne, she exclaimed, what do you think your beautiful picture of the prodigal son is Mr. Barton's work? Goddard is only the name of the man who bought it. Yes, as Mr. Gaythorne looked very much astonished at this, you will not call him the gentlemanly tramp any longer now that he is a real artist. Look here, Mrs. Latrell, he said abruptly, I don't believe all this. You are being galled. Goddard painted that picture not Barton.  I dare say the fellow can paint in a pretty amateury sort of way, and he will be able to do my job, but I'm not going to swallow this without proof. Tell him to bring the picture back himself, and you can come to if you like. If he has been imposing on your credulity, I shall very soon detect him. But Olivia was indignant at this. Of course, he shall bring back the picture if you wish it, she said a little stiffly, and I shall ask him to bring the sketch of dot two, and then you will see for yourself how well he paints, but he is no imposter. I am certain of that. But as usual, Mr. Gaythorne only held obstinately to his opinion. My dear young lady, he said irritably, you have hardly enough experience to judge in a case like this. If Mr. Barton really painted that picture, which I deny for Goddard painted it, he is a worse scamp than I thought him. What business had he to be starving on a doorstep or sepping off dry bread and thin cocoa in a casual ward? My dear, we old fellows know the world better than that.  Mr. Gaythorne was evidently in one of his obstinate moods, and Olivia thought it prudent to say no more on this subject. Robert Barton would be able to vindicate himself without difficulty, but Mr. Gaythorne saw the sketch of Dot and the kitten. He would be more lenient in his judgment of the young artist. During the remainder of her visit, she chatted to him cheerfully about a book he had lent her, but just before she took her leave, she unfortunately broached the subject of her new friend. At the mention of her name, Mr. Gaythorne started, and changed color. Greta Williams observed with a sharp, almost displeased intonation in his voice that is not a common name, and she lives in Brunswick Place. Yes, they had been living there for some years, but before that they were in the country. But to her surprise, Mr. Gaythorne interrupted her impatiently. Yes, yes, you said that before. Go on with what you were telling me about her father. He is a dipsomaniac, you say, and then Olivia proceeded with her story. Is it not sad for the poor girl? She observed when she had finished, but Mr. Gaythorne made no reply. He was sitting in a stooping attitude over the fire and seemed lost in thought. His first remark took Olivia by surprise. Have you ever mentioned my name to Ms. Williams? He asked with one of his keen, searching looks. You are very frank, Mrs. Latrell. I dare say you have dropped a word or two about me, but Olivia shook her head. I am quite sure that I have not done so. I've only seen Ms. Williams four or five times, and we have only talked about her own troubles in. Oh, yes, a little about Mr. Barton. No, I'm certain that your name has never been mentioned. That is well. He returned slowly. Perhaps you will be good enough for the future to leave me out of your conversations when you go to Brunswick Place. The fact is, Mrs. Latrell, he went on slowly. The Williams' were old neighbors of ours, and Greta and my Olive were dear friends. But they left the neighborhood long before we did. I never liked Mr. Williams. He had a knack of quarreling with all his friends, and we soon came to loggerheads. He made himself obnoxious in many ways, and I declared I would never enter his house again. I'm sorry to hear. We are such close neighbors.  Oh, I have no fault to find with her he returned in a softer voice. She was a good creature, and my Olive was very fond of her. At one time she was always in our house, and she in all wind let me see what was I saying, interrupting himself with a frown of vexation. No, there is no harm in the girl, and I shall always wish her well, for my little Olive's sake, but it would be painful for us both to meet. He stopped, sighed heavily, and then, shading his eyes, sat for some minutes without speaking. Olivia rose at last. Her visit had not been a pleasant one. The subjects of conversation had been unlucky. She was vexed with herself, and yet it was no fault of hers, for once Mr. Gaythorne did not try to detain her, but there was no want of cordiality in his manner, as he bid her goodbye. I shall see you tomorrow. He said you'd better come early, as the afternoons are so short. But before she closed the door, he seemed begin lost in thought. That evening Robert Barton was in high spirits and talked in a most sanguine manner of his future. He would set about a picture for the Royal Academy at once. He had his subject ready, a group in the casual ward that had greatly impressed him. He had sketched it roughly with an old battered lead pencil he had picked up. He discussed it with animation all tea time. It is just the sort of thing to take the fancy of the public, he said. I shall take pains with it and work it up, patches and all. It will be sure to sell. And Marcus applauded this resolution. During the rest of the evening, Robert Barton was excellent company.  And Marcus's laugh had more than once brought Martha out of the kitchen. But towards the end of the evening, when Olivia brought him a cup of hot cocoa, his gay tea suddenly vanished, and he looked at her a little sadly. Tomorrow evening I shall be missing my kind nurse and hostess, he said gently, and shall be wishing myself back in this cozy parlor. And then he added abruptly, look here, Mrs. Latrell, I am not much of a hand at making pretty speeches, but if ever I can do a good turn for you and the doctor I shall be proud and happy to do it. He is very grateful Marcus observed Olivia as she lingered a moment by her husband's side. There were tears in his eyes as he said that, poor fellow, I cannot help liking him. There is something debonair and boyish about him in spite of all he has been through, and certainly he has been very amusing this evening, but with a little caressing touch, how nice it will be when we are alone again. And Marcus smiled ascent. End of Chapter 13. Chapter 14 of Dr. Latrell's First Patient by Rosa Neuschev-Carrie. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. An eventful day. Forget not thy sins that thou mayest sorrow and repent, Petrarch. When Olivia awoke the next morning, she was conscious of a curious feeling, an indefinable presentiment that she could not put into words. How I wish the day were over, she said to herself, and the thought of her visit to Galveston House and Mr. Gaythorn's sharp, cynical speeches, quite oppressed her. I hope he will be civil to Mr. Barton. She observed later on to her husband. Mr. Barton is very proud and touchy, and he will not submit to a course of cross examination from a stranger. I am quite dreading the afternoon, but Marcus only laughed at her fears. Barton can hold his own, was his reply. He is a bit peppery, but he is not such a fool, as to quarrel with his bread and butter. He knows Mr. Gaythorn is a connoisseur, and he will put up with a few sarcastic speeches in the hope of future profits. Mr. Gaythorn could make him extremely useful. He hinted as much to me this morning. There are some pictures he once rehung in one or two that need cleaning and varnishing. Barton has only got to prove without doubt that he and not Goddard painted that picture, and then they will get on all right. You must just hold your tongue, Livy, and leave them to fight it out, and Olivia resolved to abide by his prudent advice. Robert Barton worked hard most of the morning, and then, as the sun shone brightly, he went out for a stroll before the early dinner. He came back, looking so pale and tired that Olivia scolded him for taking too long a walk. I have not been far. He returned, sitting down, in rather a weary manner, and it was so warm and pleasant in the sunshine that I thought that it would do me good. Then he gave a short laugh and said abruptly, the fact is something has bowed me over. I have seen a ghost. Then Olivia, who was clearing the table for the early dinner, stared at him. Oh, of course, I am only speaking figuratively, he went on. I suppose it was really flesh and blood that I saw, but no ghost could have been more startling. I wonder, speaking as though to himself, if my sight deceived me, but it was certainly a singular likeness if I had only had the courage to stop and speak. But when I recollected myself, the opportunity had gone. A passing omnibus hindered me, and then I was too late. Did you think it was someone you knew? Yes, very curtly, a friend of my happier days, but he seemed disinclined to say more. He was so silent and moody all dinner time that Dr. Latrell looked at him in surprise more than once. I suppose you will go straight to your lodging from Galveston House, he said presently. It will never do for you to be out late, Barton and Robert Barton assented to this. I shall just fetch my bag in one or two things. I do not suppose we shall be long. And then he rose from the table and began putting up his brushes, and then took up a book which he read upside down until Olivia was ready to accompany him. As they crossed the road, she said to him gently, I'm sorry to see that you are a little out of spirits, and I'm afraid this visit may be rather trying. An elderly invalid has all sorts of fads and cranks, but I hope you will be patient. Then Robert Barton smiled pleasantly. Oh yes, I am quite prepared to be regarded as a fraud, but I shall soon prove that Goddard is the cheat in this case, and then they rang the bell and Thee be telling them that her master was still in the dining room, ushered them into the library. Please tell Mr. Gaythorne we are in no hurry, observed Olivia, vexed that they had come so early, but Robert Barton, with one quick glance round the beautiful room, busied himself with placing the pictures in the best possible light. There he said, stepping back with a complacent smile, I think your old gentleman will own that the same artist painted those two pictures when he sees them side by side. But as he spoke, the sound of footsteps made him look towards the open door, as he did so Olivia saw him suddenly recoil and turned deadly white at the sight of Mr. Gaythorne standing rigid and motionless on the threshold. A stifled voice cried, all wind, good heavens, it is all wind, and the next moment the heavy crutch-handled stick fell from the old man's trembling hand with a sudden crash. At the sound Robert Barton shivered and shrank back against the easel. Olivia picked it up and tried to place it in Mr. Gaythorne's hand again, but he never noticed her. His eyes were fixed with a look of agonized intense on the white base of the young artist. It is all when he said again in the same suppressed voice, and yet he does not speak or look at me, and at the anguish in his tone the young man raised his head. Father, I was not prepared for this, he stammered, what am I to say to you? And then without advancing a step, he looked round him wildly. Father, what does this mean? Am I dreaming, where are my mother and Olive? Then a low moan of intense pain broke from Mr. Gaythorne's lips. He does not know, oh, this is too dreadful, Mrs. Latrell. He looked at her almost appealingly, as though his strength were gone, and then she put her arm round him and guided him gently to a chair. Sit quiet for a moment, she whispered, you are not fit for this, and as she wiped the cold perspiration from his forehead, his ashton looked terrified. Her dear Mr. Gaythorne tried to compose herself. Shall I ring for Mrs. Crampton? Perhaps she would know what to do, but he shook his head vehemently. No, no, only give me time. Ah, look there for the blind hound that had just come into the room was now whining and fawning upon Robert Barton in the most excited way. Arrows knows him all when trying to raise his voice, but it was strangely feeble. Come nearer to me.  I know now who forged that check, I have known it for years. No, with all your faults, you never did that. And as he said this, Mr. Gaythorne put out a shaking hand to his son, but the young man did not take it. There was a fierce, angry light in his blue eyes and a contemptuous smile on his lips. I am glad you have done me this tardy justice, sir, he said, in a farmer tone, and that I have heard from your own lips that I am no criminal. When we parted, I remember you threatened me with penal servitude. No, I have not disgraced your name to that extent. I have starved and nearly died of cold on a doorstep, but I have kept my hands clean. All when, exclaimed Mr. Gaythorne, piteously, I was too hard. I will confess that all these years I have been longing to atone, and the sorrow and remorse have made me an old man before my time. There was much to forgive, much that you made me bear. Surely you cannot deny that. No, sir, I will not deny that I was a sad, scapegrace, but you never took the right way to keep me straight. But for my mother and Olive, I should have run away long before. Father, and here there was a frightened look in his eyes. Where are they? Why are you alone? Then, as Mr. Gaythorne raised his hand with a solemn gesture, the young man laid his head down on the mantelpiece, and his whole frame shook with convulsive sobs. Dead, oh, no, impossible. My own mother who always believed in me, and my little Olive, he gasped out more than once. Mr. Alwyn observed Olivia putting her hand on his shoulder, but the tears were running down her face as she spoke. Your father cannot bear much more. I'm afraid he is ill. But even as she spoke, Mr. Gaythorne, who had risen from his chair, rather stiffly, suddenly fell on the rug at his son's feet. The next moment, the peeling of the bell, brought Mrs. Crampton and the frightened servants to the room. They found Mrs. Latrell and the stranger kneeling by the side of the prostrate form. But as the housekeeper caught sight of the young artist's face, she uttered a sudden cry. It is Mr. Alwyn, she said, and the joy of seeing him has killed my master. But Olivia hushed her. Send for Dr. Latrell. She said, we must do nothing till he comes. Mr. Alwyn, for the unfortunate young man seemed on the verge of fainting. I do not think he is dead. It is some sort of attack. We must do the best we can for him without moving him until my husband comes. But to her intense relief, Marcus entered a moment afterwards. One quick glance at the young artist's agitated face gave Dr. Latrell a vague clue to the mystery, but he was soon too deeply engrossed with his patient to think of anything else. Under his directions, a temporary bed was made in the library and the invalid was undressed and laid on it. Mrs. Crampton, who was a capable nurse, carried out the doctor's instructions and Olivia made herself useful. After the first few minutes, Alwyn had left the room, unable to endure the sight any longer. An hour or two passed, then Dr. Latrell rose from his seat beside his patient and beckoned his wife from the room. Livy, he said, as they stood together by the hall fire, I feel a little more sanguine. Now there is partial consciousness, but everything depends on keeping him quiet. I shall remain with him tonight and Mrs. Crampton will be with me. I want you to tell me what brought on this attack. From all your faces, I can see something has happened. Barton looked as if he would have a stroke too. Oh, where is he, Marcus? I have not seen him for more than an hour. Oh, you may well think that something has happened. I never was present at such a scene. Mr. Barton is his son Alwyn. They recognized each other in a moment. Poor Mr. Gaythorn accused himself of harshness and made a sort of apology. But Mr. Alwyn looked so angry and contemptuous and would not shake hands. And then he asked after his mother and sister, they are dead, you know.  I'm sure the poor old man was trying to get to him when he suddenly fell down at his feet. And Mr. Alwyn screamed out, thinking he was dead.  Now, as there is nothing more you can do, suppose you take Barton, I mean Gaythorn, back with you. We can't let him go to the models now, and it would not be safe to have him here. Give him some food and talk to him. Mrs. Crampton will look after my comforts. I will run across later on and tell you how he is. And then Olivia reluctantly obeyed him. Marcus was right, and she would not venture to contradict his orders, but how she longed to stay and share his watch. Good child, he said, kissing her.  And this little bit of praise went far to console her. Promise me that you will take care of yourself, and I will do my best for Mr. Alwyn, she said, nesting up to him for a moment. And then the doorbell rang and Phoebe, with rather a scared face, went to the door. Is Dr. LaTrell here? Ask the clear voice that they both recognized, as were the reams is. And then she caught sight of them and stepped into the hall. They told me you were here, so I ventured to come across. She said in a low tone, as Marcus looked at her anxiously, oh there is nothing wrong, only nurse forgot to ask you something. And as it was a fine evening, I said I would call. I'm coming round later on, I'm sorry you have had your walk for nothing, return Marcus. And then they went apart and talked together for a few minutes. Then Marcus went back to his patient and Greta joined Olivia, who was sitting on the oak and setee by the blazing fire. She was tired out with a strain of the last two hours and felt in need of a little rest before she went in search of Alwyn. Sit down Greta, she whispered how strange you should have come to this house, but then everything is strange today. But here she stopped confusedly as she remembered Mr. Gaythorne's injunction. Why is it strange, asked Greta innocently, there is someone seriously ill here, is there not?  She glanced at Olivia questioningly, but she only nodded in answer. Yes, it was a sudden attack, I think it must have been a stroke. Oh Greta, what is it? For Miss Williams had suddenly risen from her seat with a startled exclamation and was gazing with wide frightened eyes and parted lips into the shadowy corner behind her. The next moment Robert Barton came forward into the firelight with his pale face and fair disheveled hair. He looked almost like a ghost of himself, but Greta with a little cry held out her hand to him. Alwyn, it is you. But how you startled me, why did you stand there in that silent ghostly fashion? But as he only looked at her in a dazed way and made no answer, she turned to Olivia. Mrs. LaTrell, she said prettiously, what does it all mean? Why does he not speak to me? And we are such old friends. Is he ill? He looks dreadful, I should hardly have known him, and yet and yet it must be Alwyn. Yes, I am Alwyn. Returned the young man in a hollow voice, but you must not touch me, Greta.  I have killed my father. End of chapter 14. Chapter 15 of Dr. LaTrell's First Patient by Rosa Neuchette Carey. The sliver box recording is in the public domain. They were both to blame. It befits a son to be dutiful to his father, Plaudus. As Alwyn uttered these despairing words, Greta shrank back in alarm, but Olivia, with her rear-suring smile, put her hand gently on his arm.  How can you have killed your father when he is not dead? My husband has only just left me. He seems hopeful about him. He thinks consciousness is returning, but he must have perfect quiet. Even our voices may disturb him. That is why I must beg you to come back with me at once. You are not deceiving me, Mrs. LaTrell. Returned Alwyn suspiciously.  Quite sure she returned quietly, and then again Greta put out her hand. You will come with us. Will you not, Alwyn? She said with sisterly tenderness, there is so much that I have to hear and that you must tell me and we must not talk here to think that we should have met like this by accident if there be such a thing as accident in this life of ours. But no, it was providence that brought me to this house, and as Olivia followed them down the dark shrubbery, she could hear her quiet tone still talking as though to a younger brother. Olivia was too tired to do more than wonder vaguely as she listened. The sight of her own little parlor and Martha's sturdy figure arranging the tea table gave her a pleasant revulsion of feeling when Martha whispered confidentially as she brought in the lamp. The seed cake is nicely baked. Hadn't I better bring it in, ma'am? Olivia gave a little hysterical laugh. After all that tragedy, it was so odd to think of freshly baked cakes. Yes, yes, and make the tea quickly, she said, waving off the little handmaiden impatiently, and Martha somewhat affronted and vaguely alarmed, retreated to the kitchen. Let's come over to the mistress, she said to herself. I've never known her so huffy, but Olivia, with difficulty recovering her calmness, busied herself and ministering to her guests. Mr. Alwyn, she said gently, you must rest on that couch.  Greta, you must stop and have some, too. Do you know this is the first time you have entered this house? Dot is asleep. I'm going up to see her now. Would you like to come too? For she guessed intuitively that the girl was longing to question her, and Greta, with a grateful look, bothered her at once. Olivia kissed the sleeping child with her usual tenderness, how she longed to lie down beside Dot and sleep off her overpowering weariness. But the day's work was not over. Greta, who had only just glanced at the little one, put her arms suddenly round Olivia and drew her down beside her. Mrs. Latrell, she said breathlessly, tell me what it all means, what has happened to Alwyn, and what makes him talk so strangely. Do you know, for one moment, I believed him in the old time they often quarreled, but of course it is paralysis, and then Olivia told her all that had occurred that afternoon.  Oh, Mrs. Latrell, how sad, how terribly sad it all is.  Yes, and he had been ill too, think of all the hardships he has been through, and Greta shivered as Olivia said this. How little I thought she said that when you were telling me about the poor young artist that Dr. Latrell had found on the doorstep on Christmas night that it was Alwyn Gaythorne, my old playmate and friend. Then she added with a sigh, what would his poor mother have said, she and Olive almost worshipped that boy. We ought not to leave him too long alone, observed Olivia wearily. I promised my husband that I would look after him, who must coax him to take some food, and then he must go to bed. He is very weak still, and all this has exhausted him, and as Greta evidently shared her anxiety, they went back to the parlor. They found Alwyn pacing the room restlessly. He stopped and looked relieved as Greta entered. I was afraid you'd gone, he said abruptly, do you know, you passed me in the street this morning, you had that thing on, touching her seal skin mantle, but you were not looking at me, I thought it was a ghost, and then I tried to follow you. But some vehicles got in my way, and then you disappeared. I wish I'd seen you, she said softly, and then Alwyn resumed his restless walk. It was with difficulty that Olivia could induce him to come to the table, and then he could not eat. His eyes looked feverishly bright, and his cough made Greta glance at him anxiously. When tea was over, Olivia left the room for a little. Alwyn had utterly refused to go to bed, until he had seen Dr. Latrell. He was evidently tormented by remorse for his hardness to his father, and Olivia thought that he might unburden himself more freely to his old friend, and she was right. On her return she found them talking together, and the strained hunted look had left Alwyn's eyes. Greta's were swollen with weeping, but there was a smile on her lips, Alwyn has been telling me his trouble, she said simply, and I could not help crying over them. He has suffered so, and I felt so sorry for him. If only we had not gone abroad. But when we came back, the grains was empty, and no one knew what had become of Alwyn. He had quarreled with his father, and it was supposed he had enlisted and gone to India, and he had talked so often of doing this that I thought it was probably the truth. Now I must go, but I shall come again tomorrow, and then she smiled at him and rose from her seat. He has talked it all out, and it has done him good. She observed as she and Olivia lingered a moment in the passage, but if his father dies, Alwyn will never get over it. Oh, he is much to blame. She went on. He has been very wild, very imprudent, utterly mad and reckless, but his poor father was to blame too. A high spirited lad like Alwyn would not be kept in leading strings. Mr. Gaithorn was far too strict with him. His own mother said so, and yet in his way he loved him. How often poor Alwyn would cry about it to me. Dear, dear Alwyn, how I loved her, and I was very fond of Mrs. Gaithorn too. She was so sweet and motherly.  I was so much taller than Alwyn, but there interrupting herself if I begin talking about the old days that the grain jars shall never finish. But you will come tomorrow. Yes, indeed, how could I keep away? Do you know that for years Alwyn and I were just like brother and sister? I don't believe he cared much more for Olive than he did for me. I think I understood him better than she did. His mother always said so. Well, good night, dear Mrs. Latrell. I shall come tomorrow as early as I can. When Olivia went back to the parlour, she found Alwyn lying back in his chair, looking utterly spent and exhausted. I believe I shall have to take your advice and go to bed, he said. All this has taken the starch out of me, and I feel dead beat, and he looks so ill that Olivia half thought of sending for her husband. Fortunately, he came in half an hour later and went up at once to Alwyn's room. He was some time with him, and then he came down and told Olivia that she had better fill a hot water bottle and heat some flannel. It is a sort of nervous attack, he explained in his teeth art, chattering with cold and he is shaking as though he were in an ague fit. But I am going to mix him a composing draft, and he will soon quiet down. I have brought him a favourable report of Mr. Gaythorn, but he is too weak to be cheered by it. This will have done him no end of harm. We shall have him in bed for the next day or two. Olivia gave a tired sigh, but she would not add to Marcus's burdens by selfish complaints of her own fatigue.  In a few minutes, he returned again laden with warm things that the housekeeper had sent for her young master's use, and soothed by the unaccustomed comfort and the powerful narcotic Alwyn sank into an exhausted sleep. It was 11 o'clock before Olivia could lay her own head on her pillow as Dot nestled to her with a sleepy cry. The young mother breathed her nightly thanksgiving for her two blessings, and then knew no more until Martha came to pull up her blinds in the morning. Then Marcus came across for his breakfast he seemed in excellent spirits. He had had three or four hours rest, and in his opinion, the stroke was a slight one. He had been unconscious, and though the right arm in his speech were certainly affected, he believed that it was only temporary mischief. Of course, one knows at his age that it is the danger signal he went on, but I hope with care that his life may be prolonged for years, I shall get Dr. Bevin to look at him as I do not care for such undivided responsibility. And perhaps it will be well to have a nurse for a week or two.  As the day were on, there were still more cheering reports. Mr. Gaethon had said a few words, almost distinctly, at least Dr. LaTrell had understood him. Whereas Alwyn, he was quite sure those were his words, but he had seemed quite satisfied when Marcus told him he was with his wife and had not spoken again. Olivia had hoped for a talk with Aunt Match where it was quite three days since she had been round to Mayfield Villas. But she found it impossible to leave the house. Alwyn needed a great deal of attention. He was very low and depressed. Marcus had given orders that he was to have frequent nourishment and as Mrs. Crampton had sent Phoebe across with a store of good things soup and jelly and grapes, there were no demands on Olivia's simple larder. A ready-cooked pheasant would be sent for his dinner and anything else that he could fancy. Mrs. Crampton says that she knows her master would approve, so I suppose we need not be too scrupulous, observed Marcus, but at that moment the surgery bell rang. Dr. LaTrell's services were required at number 17 and with an expressive look at his wife, Marcus took up his hat and hastened out. Olivia had expected credit quite early, but she did not make her appearance until late in the afternoon. She had been detained, she said. Nurse had asked her to take her place for a couple of hours and then she looked anxiously at Olivia. I'm afraid Alvin is ill, she observed, but Olivia assured her that it was only a temporary breakdown. We have such good news of Mr. Gaethorn that he cannot fail to be cheered, but of course he is fretting about the loss of his mother and sister. It was such a shock you see and as my husband says we must give him time to pull himself together. But you do not look very well yourself, Greta. You are terribly pale. Oh, that is nothing. She returned. I suppose I was too much excited for I could not sleep for hours. I seemed to be living through my old life again. They were such happy days. Mrs. LaTrell one's existence was not meager and colorless then. I wish you would tell me a little about it all, observed Olivia as she ensconced Greta in the most comfortable chair. You cannot imagine how impressed me. And then Miss William smiled. Oh, you are so sympathetic. That is your great charm. But indeed I love to dwell on that part of my life. You know, the Gaethorns lived at Medbecott Grange. It was a quaint picturesque old house covered with ivy and with a lovely garden. There was a lime walk that was delicious on hot summer afternoons. I can smell the limes now. Mr. Gaethorn, who had been abroad a great many years, had taken fancy to the place and half thought of buying it, but he changed his mind later. We lived at the lodge a much smaller house looking over the village green.  But dear mother and I were very fond of it. We liked the three-cornered little drawing room with its bay window where we could sit and work and watch the old men in their gray mugs having a palaver under the big elm in the center of the green. Mrs. LaTrell, interrupting herself, do you know, Ivy Dean lodges to let now I saw the advertisement in the standard. Now I should love to live there again if anything happened to poor father. I know I should go back there. It is the only place I ever called home. Don't you love a village green with geese waddling over it and a big pond where little bear get urchins are always sailing their boats and then the church and the lech gate and the vicarage smothered in creepers? By Greta, what a charming description you quite make me long to see it. But it is not as charming as it really is. Even strangers allow that Mendelicott is a pretty village. It is true that Ivy Dean has not much of a garden, just a little patch of lawn and a mulberry tree and a flower bed or two. But as I spent most of my time in the Grange garden it did not matter. Dear mother was always so unselfish she would never let me stay at home with her she thought it good for me to be with young people of my own age and so Olive and Alwyn and I were always together. Olive was my friend but I always looked upon Alwyn as a dear younger brother. He is not really much younger only a few months but I was always a little older than my age. He must have been very handsome observed Olivia and Greta colored her. All the Gaythorns were handsome. Mr. Gaythorn himself was a fine, stately looking man only a little foreign and unusual in his dress. I was always a little afraid of him and I never approved of the way he treated Alwyn. He had been over-indulged and petted in his boyhood but later on his father forwarded him unnecessarily. He was always calling him to account for some foolish improvements and though his mother and Olive as much as possible there were often sad scenes of the Grange. Mr. Gaythorn had set his heart on Alwyn's reading for the bar. He thought he had sufficient money and influenced to warrant the hope that his only son might eventually enter Parliament but Alwyn had already secretly determined to be an artist. He detested his law studies and could not be induced to work and spoiled all his father's plans. As I told you last night finished credit they were both to blame but at the time I could not help taking Alwyn's part. He was not good to his father and often lost his temper and said disrespectful things but Mr. Gaythorn had no right to be so tyrannical. When my mother died father would not hear of our living at Ivy Dean. He said he hated the place and we went to America for a year or two and there I heard of Olive's death. Olive had told me in her letters of Alwyn's disappearance. There has been an awful scene she wrote poor dear mother has been so ill father thinks that Alwyn has done something very wrong but of course neither mother nor I believe it for a moment though it cannot be denied that appearances are terribly against him. Forgive me dear Greta if I do not enlarge on this painful subject we do not know what has become of Alwyn but we think he has enlisted. This was the last letter I received from Olive before many months had passed she died at Rome and her mother did not long survive her. End of Chapter 15 Chapter 16 of Dr. LaTrell's first patient by Rosa Neuchette Carey this LibriVox recording is in the public domain busy days rely upon it the spiritual life is not knowing or learning but doing. We only know so far as we can do we learn to do by doing and we learn to know by doing what we do truly rightly in the way of duty that and only that we are Reverend Frederick Robertson when Alwyn heard that Greta was downstairs he frightened perceptibly she is a dear creature he said except in looks she has not changed a bit she used to be rather a pretty girl interesting looking that was the word for Greta but she is very graceful still will you give my love to her Mrs. LaTrell I shall hope to see her tomorrow or the next day and then he turned weirdly on his pillow as though talking were too great an effort. The following afternoon Greta came earlier but as she was unable to stay long Olivia found an opportunity of going round to Mayfield Villars. It was just in the gloming Aunt Maja's rest hour as she called it and there was unmistakable gladness in her voice when Olivia's tall figure appeared on the threshold welcome welcome little stranger she said merrily do you know Livy that you have played truant for four whole days I was just thinking of sending dead round this evening to know if anything were the matter. O.I.C. as her bright penetrating glance read her nieces face you have something wonderful to tell me draw up your chair and I will be as quiet as a mouse I am a splendid listener as my dear Fergus used to say something wonderful repeated Olivia breathlessly while Aunt Maja I feel as though I were in the third volume of a sensational novel what do you think Robert Barton whom Marcus found starving on a doorstep is Mr. Gaythorn's long lost son Alwyn it was evident that Mrs. Broderick was intensely surprised where she quite flushed up with excitement go on tell me everything from the beginning I will not interrupt she said quickly and Olivia nothing loath gave a graphic account of the afternoon at Galveston house is it not grand on marriage she finished but Mrs. Broderick's voice was not so steady as usual as she answered so the blessing has come to him and he will have the heart's desire but there's a heavy load laid on him to poor stricken man Olivia we must just pray for him until he is able to pray for himself his brain is really much clearer today returned Olivia he spoke quite sensibly to Marcus only his speech is a little affected he asked why his son had left the house and then Marcus told him that he was weak and needed rest and that I was taking care of Mrs. Crampton we'll see that he has all he requires he said and Mrs. Crampton came over of her own accord last night do you know Aunt Maj I felt so ashamed of her seeing him in that bare little room and I tried to explain to her that it was only a sort of disused lumber room but she soon made plenty of suggestions for his comfort she has sent a pair of thick curtains for the window and a big rug that nearly covers the floor and a softer mattress and now the room looks so cozy Marcus quite stared when he went up this morning he was quite touching to see Mr. Allwin with her he actually kissed her and called her his dear old goodie I find she's lived with them ever since they were quite children I think she was Olive's nurse and the first she made over him calling him her poor ill used lamb it almost made me cry to hear her poor fellow he has certainly had his fill of husks yes indeed but Mrs. Crampton is determined to kill the fatted calf now the things she sends over would feed half a dozen prodigal sons game and soups and jellies and fruit she says her master has given her carte blanche and that the doctor has laid a great stress on nourishment so of course we can say nothing well that your life is not exactly stagnant just now no indeed but oh there is one thing I forgot to tell you Marcus has another patient that is number five actually the surgery bell rang twice yesterday Mrs. Broderick clapped her hands then she said in a teasing voice are you not glad that you kept Martha and Olivia laughed why Aunt Mad she said in an amused tone Marcus actually proposed this morning that we should get an older and more capable servant but I told him I would rather work twice as hard than part with Martha she is such a good willing little soul of course as long as Mr. Alwyn keeps his room we shall have plenty of running about and Dot is cutting some more teeth and is rather fretful so our hands are full but the only thing that troubles me is that I see so little of Marcus he is out most of the evening either at Galveston house or in Brunswick place alas things are no better there and if this influenza epidemic comes on as the doctors predict he will have a busy spring no doubt but as we have only to live one day we will not trouble our heads about that well you have given me food enough for some days I shall send Deb Brown tomorrow evening to inquire after the invalids but you must not come again until you are more at leisure teething troubles and the care of a sick man are enough for any woman dear Aunt Madge exclaimed Olivia affectionately if I could only be as unselfish as you I do believe you never think of yourself at all nonsense return Mrs. Broderick I'm an old bundle of selfishness well I shall be thinking of those two poor things my heart aches for that young man but I pity his father too I was reading about the deaf man with an impediment in his speech this morning it is the lesson for today you know and I could not help pondering for some time on those words Jesus took him apart from the multitude just as though quiet and stillness were needed for the healing I think that is the lesson that sickness teaches us the poor sufferer is led apart to wait for the word of healing sometimes he waits long but the time has not been lost Lord it is good for us to be here I think some of us will say that when our painful so journey at the mount of suffering is over yes it is good for us to have drunk of his cup without complaining Aunt Madge's eyes had a dreamy look in them the beautiful voice vibrated in Olive's ear like music but as she stooped to kiss her somewhat odd by her unusual solemnity the old kind smile returned to her lips goodbye Libby darling my love and congratulations to Marcus Olivia was putting a good face on things but Marcus oppressed with a heavy responsibility of three serious cases hardly knew how hard she worked from morning to night dot feverish and fretful was always wanting to be in her mother's arms Martha with all her willingness was too young and inexperienced to be a very efficient help so although Olivia always worked for a bright expression when Marcus came in for his meals and chatted to him in her old cheerful way she was often too weary to sleep it was a relief therefore when Alvin was able to leave his room and lie on the couch downstairs Gretas afternoon visits within a real boom she could leave them together while she went out and did her business Olivia's healthy robust constitution always needed fresh air and regular exercise the house tried her and the small rooms and low ceilings at number one Galveston terrace were certainly rather cramping after hours brisk walk always refreshed her and acted like a tonic she would look in it may feel bill is four ten minutes and give her report of the inblitz and then come back to tea looking so fresh and invigorated that all went once told her that she was as good as a whiff of moorland air Alvin was slow in recovering from work that suffered severely and at times his restlessness and depression were sad to see if he could only be reconciled to his father but the thought of another interview seems to terrify him he is so painfully morbid she went on and distrusts himself he is afraid of saying and doing the wrong thing somehow he seems to have lost all faith in his father's love I long for his forgiveness I know that I have been a bad son he said yesterday but he will never believe he has been a bad son ever since oh it is dreadful the way he talks and works himself up Marcus says it is a good deal owing to nervous exhaustion returned Olivia but he is very sorry for him Mr. Gaythorn has begged more than once to see him he is evidently craving for a sight of him but Marcus dare not bring them together yet Mr. Gaythorn is only just able to sit up and he is very weak and then while Mr. Alvin is in this nervous state he is hardly to be trusted he must be patient I suppose I have perfect faith in Dr. LaTrail's opinion and then her manner changed and she said more and more do you know how badly he thinks of father he is afraid he will never leave his bed again yes I know and Dr. Bevin agrees with him poor Greta I am so sorry for you and she laid her hand affectionately on her shoulder yes but I dare not murmur return the girl in a low voice it would be more merciful to let him die than linger on in suffering the first of feeling the seas that is killing him has not been brought on by his own fault oh the gratitude I felt when Dr. LaTrail said that it has been latent in the system and that only lately Dr. Bevin suspected it but oh dear Mrs. LaTrail do not wish him to live no one who cared for him could wish it poor child yes I know Marcus explained things to me he is quite himself went on Greta drying her eyes and so dear and affectionate but it hurt me to hear him asking my pardon for the life he had led me I have not deserved such a good daughter he said over and over again since your poor mother died you have been my one blessing dear Greta you will let these words comfort you oh yes I was repeating them in my dreams all night when he was talking to me I felt that I had got the old father back what do you think Mrs. LaTrail he actually asked me if I should go on living at Brunswick place when he was gone and then it came into my head to tell him about Ivy Dean and he was so interested I'm sure he was pleased when I told him that I should like to go back there he actually wanted me to write to the lawyer about it but when he saw how shocked I was at the idea he said perhaps we'd better wait a little Olivia thought over this conversation when Greta left her her heart ached for the lonely girl when Marcus came in a few minutes later he seemed struck with her unusual gravity is there anything wrong Libby asked you seem in the doldrums and as she smiled and shook her head he continued cheerfully I'm glad to hear it do you know I've actually a free evening until 10 I feel as though I was a schoolboy again and had an unexpected holiday in my opinion only busy people know how to enjoy a holiday properly and I am really to have you to myself for three whole hours and Olivia's face being with delight as Marcus drew his chair to the fire and took up the long neglected book Greta's troubles went into the background I don't read just now she said imploringly let us talk a little first Marcus is it very naughty of me but once or twice during the last few days when you have been too busy to stay with me or to play with that I have thought that even prosperity will have its limitations that being a successful doctor means that I shall see far too little of you then Marcus drew back his head with one of his boyish lads oh Libby what a child you are have you just found out that how delightfully illogical a woman can be it stands to reason that I cannot be in two places at once oh of course your patients will want you and I'm not really grumbling do you suppose that I shall not be proud of your success I was only trying to tell you that in spite of all our difficulties and little petty troubles I've been perfectly happy especially on Saturday evenings when you trotted up your little red book and the balance was always on the wrong side I've seen you pull an uncommon long face on those occasions I'm not quite sure about the perfect happiness then then as Olivia looked reproachfully at him his teasing manner changed dear Olive he said tenderly I'm not really laughing at you I understand quite well what you mean I'm not such an old married man that I cannot appreciate a compliment like that when my wife tells me with her own lips that my society can sweeten even poverty and hardship you are quite right love prosperity will have its limitations these pleasant evening hours will often have to be sacrificed but in all professions we must take the rough with the smooth we must just put our shoulder to the wheel you and I and do the next the finger a lily oh yes she answered eagerly and yours is such a grand work I've always been so thankful you are a doctor when I was quite young I used to tell mother that I wanted to marry a clergyman but I think a doctor comes next oh Marcus did you ever read Wittier's verses on this subject Greta brought me his poems and read them to me I think I know the last two verses by heart beside the unveiled mysteries of life and death go stand with guarded lips and reverent eyes and pure of heart and hand the good physician liveth yet thy friend and guide to be the healer by Janess Sorette shall walk thy rounds with thee and as Olivia repeated the lines in a voice tremulous with deep feeling Dr. LaTrell's firm lips and bent with a moved expression that is beautiful he said I think those words ought to be illuminated and hung up in every doctor's waiting room the healer by Janess Sorette shall walk thy rounds with thee End of Chapter 16 Chapter 17 of Dr. LaTrell's First Patient by Rosa Neuchette Carey this LibriVox recording is in the public domain prodigal sons but by all thy nature's weakness hidden faults and follies known be thou in rebuking evil conscious of thy own Wittier it was some few weeks before Mr. Gaythorn was allowed to see anyone and then Olivia was his first visitor to her great surprise he had asked for her I think I can trust you Marcus said to her but there was a trace of anxiety in his manner that did not escape her you must talk to him of course but you must be very careful not to agitate him he once all his strength for tomorrow for on the following day father and son were to meet again Olivia felt a little nervous Marcus's professional gravity frightened her do you not think it would be better for me to wait a day or two she asked it is very nice of him to want to see me but it seems to me that Mr. Alvin ought to be his first visitor but although Marcus agreed with her he said that Mr. Gaythorn had expressed such a strong wish to see her first that he dared not refuse him it was never a fond of contradiction he returned and we should only excite him if we opposed his wish although he is quite himself little things irritate him don't make yourself nervous beforehand you will say the right thing when the time comes for saying it and though Olivia could not be sure of this she felt that it was sensible advice but when the moment came and she saw how shrunken and aged the invalid looked and heard slight hesitation in his speech as he held out his hands to her with a pathetic smile Olivia's warm womanly nature was not at fault for she bent over him and kissed his cheek as a daughter might have done dear Mr. Gaythorn she said earnestly if you knew how thankful we all are that you are better thank you thank you he said with a faint flush of pleasure you speak kindly and as though you meant it sit down my dear we must have a little talk together you and I if I ever get my boy back if the breach between us is ever healed it will be owing to you and Dr. Latrell oh please do not say that we were only the means under providence yes yes with a touch of impatience I'm not forgetting that in some ways I am a civilized heathen but I have never omitted my prayers he loveth best to prayeth best who said that Mrs. Latrell perhaps I never prayed enough or my boy would not have wandered so far oh well do you remember how hard I was on you for sheltering cramps and now I can only say God bless you for your divine charity Olivia's eyes glisten but she only pressed his hand in acknowledgement of this and tomorrow you are to see him she said softly as tomorrow he repeated slowly that is why I must not talk much today but I wanted to thank you for bringing all one and to tell you how grateful I am to you both I am an old man he continued old in sorrows more than in years for with Jacob I can truly say that few and evil have been my years oh Mrs. Latrell my dear take warning by me you have a little one of your own in future you may have sons going up beside you never for one instant let anything come between you and them he paused for a moment and then went on when all one was a little child I simply worshipped him his own mother begged me with tears in her eyes not to set my heart so much on him he was delicate and I knew what she meant that she feared whether we should rear him and I remember as she said this struck my hand passionately against his little cot if that boy dies I shall never hold up my head again how well I remember that speech oh my dear the time came when I wished that I had no son when the sharpness of the serpent's tooth entered my very vitals God grant that you and Dr. Latrell may never have to blush for a son's misdoings dear friend remember you are not to agitate yourself no no I will take care but I think it does me good to talk a little the steam must event you know and I have kept silence for so many years all these weeks they have kept my boy from me but they were right his voice trembling with weakness I could not have born it neither could all one ah how changed and ill he looked dear Mr. Gaythorn returned Olivia besiegingly indeed I must go away now unless you will consent to rest let me read to you a little well well do as you like he replied closing his eyes you all tear an eyes over the sick man but perhaps I am a bit tired and then Olivia found a book and soon had the satisfaction of seeing him sink into a peaceful sleep what a grand face it looked with its fine chiseled features in gray peaked beard lying against the dark red cushions all one would never be such a handsome as his father Olivia thought there was power and intellect on the broad forehead the thin lips and obstinate chin were hidden under the drooping gray moustache Olivia sat by him for some time and then softly left the room and Marcus had paid his evening visit he was able to assure her that her little visit had done his patient no harm Mr. Gaythorn had stipulated that he should see his son alone but Dr. Latrell who was seemingly alive to the danger of any strong excitement had decided to remain in the house during the interview all one seemed so unnerved and miserable that it was impossible to do more than give him a word of warning say as little as possible Gaythorn he had observed as they walked across together if you take my advice you will just let bygones be bygones don't be more emotional than you can help remember how ill he has been very little excites him and though all one only nodded in answer to this Marcus was sure that he understood him but as he stood by the hall far caressing arrows he could not help feeling very anxious there are neither of them to be trusted he thought and he determined that if the talk were too prolonged he would make some excuse to go in and interrupt them then he raised his head uneasily and listened as the sound of a man's stifled sobs reached his ear it was what he had feared that all when weak and unstrung would break down utterly and the next moment Dr. Luttrell had opened the door of the library neither of them perceived him as he stood for a moment watching them with keen professional eyes all one was kneeling with his face hidden on his father's knees and Mr. Gaythorn's class pans were resting on his head my boy we must both say it he whispered forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them but Marcus heard no more he closed the door again softly the scene was too sacred not even to his dearer self his wife did he ever speak of what he had seen the prodigal had eaten his fill of husks and had returned to his father's roof and his father's love but in this case the father had also sinned for surely undue severity and exacting hardness and failure sympathy or sins to be bitterly repented no one can gather grapes of thorns or gleaned corn from a harvest of tears and no parent who has first unwisely indulged his son and then ruled him with a rod of iron can well claim the glad obedience of a free son if all when Gaythorn trampled and embittered by his father's tyranny had dashed recklessly down the path that leads to destruction his father had first driven him to the verge of frenzy young limbs were not always adjust themselves to the pro-crusty embed all when who had inherited his father's strong will refused to bear the yoke of his despotism I would rather starve and have room to breathe he had once said to Greta there is no room here another half hour passed before Dr. Latrell ventured into the room Dr. Gaythorn leaning back in his chair looking very white and exhausted but with a peaceful expression on his face all when had just left his side and was standing by the window with a miniature in his hand Dr. Latrell observed the old man feebly as he gave him some restorative my son will stay with me tonight and then all when flushed as he met the doctor's eyes he wishes it very much perhaps it will be better he said in a low voice will you explain how it is to Mrs. Latrell I will see her tomorrow very well but there must be no more talking tonight if you will go into the next room I will see you presently and all when nodded it is all right happiness never kills observed Mr. Gaythorn and for the matter of that grief either we must just bide then with the flash of strong feeling in the deeply set eyes he held out his hand to the young doctor God bless you Latrell he says you have been like a brother to him and as for your wife he has no words for her goodness may heaven repay you both for what you have done for me and my boy when Marcus returned home he found Greta sitting with his wife they both looked at him anxiously Mr. Gaythorn will not part with his son he informed them Mrs. Crampton is getting a room ready for him so your labors will be light and livy she looks tired does she not Mrs. Williams though she will not confess it well it has all passed off well Mr. Gaythorn is very much exhausted but nurse is getting him to bed and I have told Alvin to rest I left Mrs. Crampton fussing around him so he will be all right and then Olivia smiled as though she were satisfied but more than once that evening she observed to Marcus how quiet the house seemed without their guests do you know I quite miss him she said I suppose one always gets attached to anyone for whom one takes trouble he was the sort of person who was always wanting something you could never forget him for a moment I wonder what Martha will say when I tell her he has gone away for good he gave her plenty to do but I expect she will be sorry to lose him and Olivia was right Martha burst out crying in quite a lamentable manner oh man she sobbed and he was such a kind young gentleman I'm sorry that I am that he won't live with us no more and he painted Miss Baby and the kitten so beautiful too and he thought such a deal of you a master but though Olivia smiled at Martha's speeches she could not help being rather sorry herself Alwyn was not a perfect character by any means but somehow he had such nice ways with him little caressing ways that go to a woman's heart his nature was affectionate and emotional and all his troubles had not hardened him even Marcus had observed more than once lately that he could not help liking the fellow he was not cut out for a black sheep but once and the character does not suit him he has the makings of a good man only has let himself drift so terribly well he has pulled himself up in time he could not have roughed it much longer when Olivia returned from her next visit to Galveston house she went straight to Marcus I just felt I must come and tell you all about it she said in her enthusiastic manner I've had such a happy afternoon was reading to his father when I went in and they both looked so comfortable and contented they made me stay and pour out their coffee for them at first Mr. Alwyn wanted to leave us he declared that too was company and three none and that he was only in the way but of course I would not hear of that and I was so glad to see him too he is his father's right hand already and does all sorts of things for him it is so lovely to see them together when he went out of the room for a moment Mr. Gaethon told me that he could scarcely realize sometimes that it was Alwyn he has just Olive's ways had been Mr. Gaethon's words I could almost fancy it was my little Olive near me if he were only stronger I should not have a wish ungratified but I cannot help troubling about his cough Dr. Latrell thinks a sea voyage would do him good but I do not know how I am to ring myself to part with him oh by the by did Alwyn tell you that Greta Williams is coming to see us she was my Olive's friend so of course she will be welcome and then in rather a meaning voice I rather think she is Alwyn's friend too Olivia made no answer to this remark but more than once lately she had noticed that Greta and Alwyn seemed very much engrossed with each other and she was almost sure that Marcus had noticed it too Greta would never consent to marry him she thought with her sad experience she would never venture to link her life with a man whom she could not wholly respect Greta's nature was a noble one she had lofty aims and a high sense of duty in spite of her gentleness she had plenty of firmness and backbone it was one thing to be sorry for her old friend and playmate and to show him her sister's tenderness but quite another to give herself to him as Olivia had felt uneasy but delicacy had let her keep her thoughts to herself I do hope she would not carry self-sacrifice to such a length as that said the young wife to herself Alwyn may be lovable but he would never satisfy a girl like Greta a woman ought to be able to look up to her husband as I look up to my dear Marcus and not be always trying to drag him up to her level I do want Greta to be married when her father dies she will be so utterly alone but I cannot reconcile myself to her marrying Alwyn Gaethorn for one thing his health is so unsatisfactory that his wife would never be easy about him even Marcus owned the other day that he feared he would never be fit for much but there is no use in trying to manage other people's lives as Aunt Madge says it takes all our strength and cleverness to manage our own a meddler is always a muddler how well I remember her saying that we did not make the world and we cannot rule the world when I see grown up folk trying to arrange for other people I always think of children playing at snapdragon one gets one's fingers burnt so badly when we try to pull out our neighbor's plum no no bearing other people's burdens never meant that into chapter 17 chapter 18 of Dr. LaTrell's first patient by Rosa Neuchette Carey this LibriVox recording is in the public domain Aunt Madge gives her opinion death is a black camel that kneels at the gate of all Abdel Cotter after all the dreaded influenza epidemic did not make its appearance and the people still talked learnedly of germs and microbes and put meddling fingers into the medical pie it was decided by the legitimate authorities that the mischief had blown over for the present it is a curious fact that there is a fashion even in talk a subject is discussed until it is worn threadbare when the germ theory was exhausted the bicycle craze took its place perhaps future students of hieroglyphics may yet discover and some plimpsest that in old days the Egyptian maidens had quaint iron machines that carried them swiftly through the desert in the early March days when the winds were keen and blustrous Mr. Williams died his end was very sudden Greta had just retired to her room for the night when the nurse noticed a change in him and hastily summoned her a messenger was sent for Dr. La Trelle but before he could reach the house Mr. Williams was dead he could have done nothing if he had been there that was the sole comfort Marcus could give to the stricken daughter and she knew that he spoke the truth the bow of the king of terrors was never drawn at a venture the error goes deep and true but to Greta and Olivia he was only the angel of sorrow who did his master's bidding all went in after years worked out this idea in a noble picture called the house of mourning the little one evidently the sole child and heir of a goodly heritage lay panting out his feeble life on the pillow the broken hearted parents bent over him hand in hand the filmy look of unshed tears in the mother's eyes was wonderfully rendered on the threshold stood a kingly presence in dark trailing robes of majesty and a starry crown on his head the face, solemn and beautiful war and expression of infinite pity the arms were stretched out the child with a gesture of tenderness underneath was written those striking words is it well with the child and the answer it is well it was that picture that made Alwyn Gaythorn's name Olivia hurried round to Brunswick place as soon as her husband broke the news to her and spent the greater part of each day there for the next week or two it was touching to see how the poor girl looked to her friends she would do nothing without their advice Dr. Latrell saved her as much as possible Ian Alwyn did the necessary business and Olivia brought her work and dot and strove in every way to cheer and console her it was a very quiet funeral only Marcus and his wife and Alwyn and the lawyer were present when they went back to the house the will was read it was simply simple everything with the exception of a few minor legacies was left to Greta the house in Brunswick place and an income of nearly 3,000 a year Olivia opened her eyes a little widely when she heard this she had no idea that Greta would be such a rich woman but Greta herself seemed utterly indifferent how am I to live on here alone she said with an outburst of grief she found herself left with Olivia dear Mrs. Latrell you must both help me all my friends must help me to some decision but to live alone in this house just because it belongs to me oh I cannot do it with a sudden shiver of repulsion I would sooner go into a hospital and learn nursing but when Olivia repeated this speech to Marcus he only smiled an attractive young woman with 3,000 a year will soon discover some object of interest he said a little dryly but it would hardly do to hint at this just now nursing in a hospital is a fine work no doubt for anyone who has a vocation but you may as well tell Miss Williams not to ask my advice she is not the physical strength besides in her position the idea is absurd why take the bread out of other women's mouths no no just counsel her to patients and in a few months we shall see which way the wind blows for though no word had yet passed between them Marcus was quite aware of all when Gaythorn's penchant for his old playfellow though the idea was hardly more pleasing to him than it was to Olivia there is not enough of him he said to himself he does not come up to her mark it is not her money Mr. Gaythorn is a rich man and his son will have plenty but she stands on a higher plane than his and in my humble opinion Miss Williams could do better for herself strange to say Mrs. Broderick differed from them she had already made Greta's acquaintance and they had mutually taken to each other Greta had been charmed with Mrs. Broderick's surefulness and quaint speeches and she declared herself fascinated by Greta's gentleness she is exactly my idea of a young English gentle woman she had said after her first visit I thought the article had gone out of fashion oh as Olivia looked shocked at this I grant you there are hundreds and thousands of good honest girls I'm thankful to say but they are so terribly outspoken and up to date of course I'm only an old fashioned sadly behind the times but those slang may not be sinful and a little outward roughness is only the husk and there is plenty of sweet sound kernel inside yet I must own Livy I like gentleness as well Alvin and Aunt Maj were already firm friends she shared his artistic tastes and could talk intelligently to him on the subjects he liked best and from the first she refused to see any defects in him my dear Livy she once said when Olivia had made a somewhat disparaging remark about his want of steadiness you are far too critical you judge men by Marcus's standard but you must remember everyone is not a moral son of Anak now Mr. Alvin is a great favorite of mine and I think highly of him few young men would be so good natured as to come two or three times a week to chat with an elderly invalid and yet that is what Mr. Alvin does and he knows I enjoy his visits yesterday when he came in he found Miss Williams sitting with me and they both looked as pleased as though they had not met for years and then made me feel quite young to look at them oh in an exasperated tone as Olivia shook her head I know what that means that you and Marcus forbid the bands but you might just as well try to stop an express train with a penny whistle so you may as well save your breath those too mean to take each other for better or worse they don't know it themselves yet but it is written already in the book of fate oh Aunt Maj how can you say such things you have not seen reddit more than three or four times all the same the oracle has spoken with a wise nod of her head my dear reddit Williams was born into this world to be someone's crutch a strong healthy minded man could not utilize her best qualities she would be simply wasted on him she has got to mother her husband you see and that is what Mr. Alvin wants his wife to do leave them alone they will soon find out their need of each other and then they will settle matters and for pity's sake Olive don't you try and put a spoke in their wheel but Olivia who was a little huffy on the subject refused to say another word it was no business of hers or anyone she said pointedly whom Alvin Gaithorn chose to marry but in her opinion it was always a pity to couple names together beforehand and with this virtuous snub she rose to take her leave but Mrs. Broderick only indulged in one of her hearty laughs I declare you are actually cross with me well there I will not say another word don't look as though I have been talking treason I quite allow your Greta is too good for any ordinary faulty man and that even my young friend is not worthy of her and at this admission Olivia's brow cleared thank you for saying that Aunt Maj I know we do not really differ only only with a little laugh you are always so ready for a love story yes I love a lover return Mrs. Broderick playfully and then her manner changed no I will not just about it life and death and love are no subjects for Jess they are three splendid realities yes my dear Olive you are right and love stories even the poorest interest me haven't I lived mine do I not know how it glorifies life but we can only read the first chapters here there is plenty for us presently the many mansions I think I love those words more than any in the Bible they always make me think that even there there will be a special home for Fergus and me and our boy Olivia certainly found it difficult to satisfy the various claims on her her household tasks occupied most of the morning as long as Martha remained their sole domestic it was necessary for the mistress to superintend the cooking to look after Marcus's comfort was her first and paramount duty and it was seldom that she found herself at leisure until the afternoon and then she and Greta were generally together either at Brunswick Place or Galveston Terrace sometimes she would combine her duties by taking Greta with her when she went to Mayfield Villas but she never ventured to take her to Galveston visit as she found that Mr. Gathorn preferred her to come alone Miss Williams is all very well he said once and we are always pleased to see her but I like my pleasure singly besides all when always monopolizes her Invalids are allowed to be exacting so I may tell you plainly that I like to have you to myself and after that Olivia went alone it was always a pleasure to her to go there she had such a warm welcome from the father and son and it did her heart good to see the light of happiness in the old man's eyes he seemed hardly able to bear his son out of his sight Alwyn's health his comforts and his tastes were his chief topics of conversation one day he made Alwyn take her upstairs and show her the new studio that had been planned two rooms were to be thrown into one and a fresh window the work was commenced he and Alwyn were going to Bournemouth for a few weeks the sea voyage had been postponed for the present Mr. Gathorn fretted himself at the idea of parting so soon with his boy and he hated the thought of his going alone if there was someone to look after him he would say to Dr. Vitrell but I feel as though I could never trust him to take care of himself again look at him he is a little held to his opinion that a long voyage would be his best remedy he thought it more prudent to wait a little and on his side Alwyn seemed reluctant to go I've been too much my Ayn Lane already he said I should prefer to stay at home a little longer and then Bournemouth was selected as a compromise Mrs. Crampton would go with them and at Mr. Gathorn's request Marcus went down first and chose their rooms Saturday to Monday and take your wife down I will frank your expenses he said in the little trip will do you both good and though Marcus hesitated over this as Martha was too young to be trusted with the care of Dot Greta came to the rescue by undertaking to look after the child Olivia could scarcely believe her ears when this magnificent project was unfolded to her two whole days with Marcus by the sea and they had neither of them outing since their modest wedding trip a week at St. Leonard's it will be another honeymoon she said fleshing with pleasure and as they sat together in the hotel garden that Saturday evening she thought of the humble lodging to which Marcus had taken her and what fun they had got out of their first attempt at housekeeping the little change did them both good but though neither of them would have owned it for the world the terrace certainly looked a little dreary on their return the bright spring weather only made the dinginess more apparent but nothing would induce the landlord to treat them to a fresh coat of paint Marcus whitewashed one or two of the rooms in the intervals of his work and Olivia put up clean curtains and purchased a plant or two as far as scrupulous cleanliness could avail the little house was in first rate order nevertheless Marcus gave vent light now and then as he looked around the small low room the side windows had been blocked up in the days of the window tax and the one small window lighted the room imperfectly if we could only move he said once I want you in dot to have more light and air we are too near the cemetery too we should do much better in Compton street or Norfolk terrace and then as Olivia looked at him in surprise he said a little impatiently oh I know it won't be done yet we shall have to want a little longer I believe it was that insufferable woman Mrs. Tolman put it into my head she actually told me that we ought to move as no good class of patients would ever come to Galveston terrace it was just like her impudence a lily oh Marcus I'm so sorry and Olivia put down her work and looked at him sympathetically I thought something had annoyed you the moment you came in it is too bad of Mrs. Tolman always to tread upon people's corns in this fashion she might wait until one asks her advice oh but it is true all the same he returned with a tinge of despondency in his voice a good house and a good neighborhood would make all the difference to the practice a house in Brunswick place for example but Olivia only laughed someone besides myself can build aircastle she said archly you might as well go on Marcus why not be doctor Bevin's partner too then Marcus started and an odd little smile played round his mouth the very same thought had already occurred to him end of chapter 18 chapter 19 of Dr. LaTrell's first patient by Rosa Neuchat-Carrie this LibriVox recording is in the public domain fortune smiles of pleasures those which occur most rarely give the greatest pleasure epictetus Dr. LaTrell's fit of pessimism did not last long the very next day he had a sharp twinge of remorse when he went round to Galveston house to take leave of his patient and Mr. Gaythorn put a slip of folded paper in his hand an old man he said and his thin fingers held the young doctor's hand in a firm grasp and I'm using an old man's privilege I know what a hard uphill fight life is at present to you and I should like to ease the burden a little and to Marcus's intense and overwhelming surprise he found it was a check for 500 pounds Marcus never could remember what he said but his first attempt to stammer a few words of gratitude for this unexpected and magnificent gift was promptly checked it is all very well observed all when rather gloomily when Olivia told him of his father's munificence she had shed tears of joy when Marcus had shown her the check my father has settled up accounts with Dr. LaTrell after his own fashion but he has not paid my debts and then in a deeply moved voice there are some debts that cannot be paid I was a stranger and ye took me in how many doors do you suppose Mrs. LaTrell would have opened to a starving outcast that Christmas night and then his blue eyes flashed with an expression of intense feeling that became him well I shall never be able to repay either of you I shall never try do you know as I lay on that doorstep too weak and stiff to move and the doctor bent over me it seemed to me in my dazed condition as though it were the face of a beneficent angel God bless you both for you have made a man of me and then he lifted the kind womanly hand and he lifted his lips Olivia missed her friends at Galveston House sorely but she had more time to devote to Greta one day they had a pleasant outing together Greta who still hankered after her old home had proposed that she and Olivia should go down to met her together it is only an hour's journey she observed and there is a dear old inn where we could have tea and just now it will be at its best the horse justness will be out in the Grange garden and the pink and white may at Ivy Dean and Olivia consented readily but though she thoroughly enjoyed the little expedition and fell in love with Methurst and the old church the longed for visit was only productive of disappointment to Greta Ivy Dean in Olivia's eyes was not a desirable abode the rooms were low and cramped and had a moldy disused smell in them even the little three corner drawing room with the bay window overlooking the village green and the elm tree did not please her the solitary old man in a smock frock with a red handkerchief knotted loosely round his lean old throat might be a picturesque object but on wet days she fancied even the green might be a dreary outlook as they sat over their tea in the little inn parlor she gave her opinion in her usual downright fashion Dear Greta she said I do not advise you are taking this step Ivy Dean Lodge would want a good deal of money spent on it to make it decently habitable and even if it were painted and papered from Garrett to basement it would never be a really comfortable house although small rooms opening into each other are so inconvenient and then it is damp I'm sure Marcus would say so and then I am certain you would be moped to death there are no young people at the Grange only that stout middle aged couple we met in the pony carriage and the vicar is old I do think it would be terribly dull for you and Greta owned rather regretfully that her friend was right her poor little air castles had crumbled into nothingness her longings for the sweet country air and rustic quiet were doomed to be frustrated in her heart she felt that Olivia was wise a solitary life at Ivy Dean would hardly content her and after all was she so ready to leave Brompton she had found friends there real friends the Latrelles and Mrs. Broderick and the Gaythorns and though she still felt terribly lonely in her big house perhaps it would be better for her to wait a little I suppose I should feel rather like a ghost if I try to settle here she said presently I do not think so badly for the little Ivy Dean as you do it would be quite large enough for me but somehow Methurst itself seems changed after tea they walked to the Grange and asked Leve to go into the garden and Greta showed her friend the lime walk and the orchard and the big elm tree where they had swung their hammock I think it looks just as lovely as it did in the old days she said as they paced down Belvety lawn and even Olivia allowed that the Grange had not disappointed her it was a fine picturesque looking house and as they passed to the front she had a glimpse of a handsome hall paneled in oak if you could only live at the Grange she said and Greta smiled Mrs. Broderick told her niece that she was growing very gay and worldly actually Marcus had taken her to the Academy one afternoon and they had sat in the park afterwards and Olivia in her new spring dress and hat had looked the embodiment of youth and freshness and another afternoon they had gone to St. James's hall to hear Sarah's thoughts Leve has had more work than play I mean her to enjoy herself a little he said when Aunt Magic used him playfully of spoiling his wife but Olivia refused to endorse this no one could be happier she told herself day after day Marcus's practice was certainly improving and he was getting very intimate too with Dr. Bevin and it was already settled between them that he should look after Dr. Bevin's patients while he was away in August Dr. Bevin had an extensive practice and was not young and Dr. Latrell suspected that he would soon take a partner than once lately that he was sadly overworked but Marcus never could be sure if these hints were intentionally dropped to be Dr. Bevin's partner would be the acme of his ambition but in that case a good house would be absolutely necessary Olivia had only been joking when she had made the observation she had no idea that Marcus even entertained such an idea for a moment but Marcus who had his foot on the first rung was eager to climb all his spare time was spent in study he still went to the models to gain experience he would say but in reality because the people loved to have him and because it gratified his organ of benevolence as the summer were on the weather became exceedingly hot and depressive and Greta who had taken a small house at Eastbourne for July and August insisted on carrying off Olivia for the first month it would be doing me the greatest kindness she said almost tearfully as she gave the invitation for how could I enjoy anything alone Dr. Latrell has promised to run down from Saturday to Monday and perhaps we could even induce him to stay longer and it would do so much good and it was this last consideration that had the greatest weight with Olivia but oh Marcus how am I to leave you and rather a dismal voice but Marcus soon proved to her that he was only too willing to part with her my good child he said the idea of you're hesitating for a moment Miss Williams is behaving like a brick and she has planned it all beforehand too do you suppose she would have taken a house if she had not meant you in doubt to go to but Marcus she pleaded I do not really need the change you only said yourself the other day that I had never looked so well this and ease born will enable you to keep well he returned cheerfully think of a month of sea breezes does not your maternal heart swell yet the idea of dotting a big sunbonnet stumping over the beach with her spade and bucket while you and Miss Williams will be as happy as the day is long oh no not without you Marcus return to Olivia tenderly do you think any enjoyment would be perfect without my husband but as Marcus quietly reasoned with her she yielded at last with a good grace I could not well refuse Aunt Madge could I she said to her usual confidant when Greta wanted me so and then it will do baby so much good Marcus declares that Martha will manage all right and that he will not be dull and he has promised to spend a whole week with us if he can and really there's so very very kind of Greta and she is so happy about our coming you are wise women livery reply to Aunt Madge and I am proud of you and so is Marcus for we both of us know you are making a brave effort Deb shall give Martha a helping hand now and then when I can spare her and Marcus has promised to have a cup of tea and chat with me sometimes on his way home from the models by the by when do Mr. Gaithorn and Mr. Alwyn return but Olivia could not answer this question Galveston house would not be ready for them until the end of July she knew that in his last letter to Marcus Alwyn had spoken of their going on to Scarborough and he had given a good account of his father he was less feeble and walked better but Bournemouth was too relaxing and they both felt the need of more bracing air I shall keep him away till September unless he turns restless he had finished and Marcus had strongly commended this Greta sometimes heard from Alwyn he wrote to her from time to time and she would read his letters to Olivia the house that she had taken at Eastbourne was charmingly situated on the windows they had a view of the sea and beachy head in the distance Marcus took them down and settled them in and after the first few days Olivia got over her home sickness and thoroughly enjoyed her life in the mornings they were always on the beach with Dot either reading or working or watching the happy groups of children in the afternoons and evenings they either drove or walked over the downs Greta who was resolved to spare at no expense had hired a pretty little Victoria for the month then Marcus came down for his promise week he spent most of his time boating and one or two days they went out in a sailing boat and carried their luncheon with them both Greta and Olive proved themselves good sailors Greta had entreated her friend to pro-longer visit but Olivia would not hear of this Martha had been left long enough she said decidedly and she could not remain away from Marcus any longer and Marcus was too glad to get his bright companion back to say a dissenting word I want my edge I have had such a spend of time where Olivia's first words when she went round to Mayfield Villas on the morning after her return Greta has been such a dear she has thoroughly spoiled me but the loveliest time of all was the week Marcus spent with us you looked the very essence of a Sunbeam Livy return Mrs. Broderick with an admiring look but what a nut-brown maid you have become Marcus pleased to get his wife and child back and then Olivia smiled happily for only she knew how she had been missed Dr. Bevin left town early in August and Dr. Littrow took up his position as locum tenants and in spite of the emptiness of London found plenty of work sometimes as Olivia walked in the direction of Brunswick Place with that toddling beside her the victory with its bay horses would pass her how Olivia would dimple with amusement as Marcus gravely lifted his hat to her even after a victory with bay horses figured in Olivia's chateau de Spagna Greta complained bitterly of her dullness when her friends had left he's born had lost his charm she wrote and the crowds of people on the parade only make me feel more lonely if it were not for fear of Dr. Littrow I should come back to Brunswick Place at once but I dare not run the gauntlet of his sarcasm my one amusement is making smocks for Dot I have finished the pale blue one and it looks lovely and now I have begun a cream colored one in spite of your stuck up pride Olive you cannot prevent me from working for my darling Dot this reproachful sentence was the outcome of a hot argument Greta had tried in her affectionate way to lavish gifts upon her friend but Olivia had steadily refused to allow this no Greta she had said you do far too much for me already I've been treated like a princess for a whole month but I will not have presence heaped on me even poor people have their feelings you know and rich people must respect them but this dignified speech made no impression on Greta you may call it proper pride she said contemptuously but I call it selfishness for you're just depriving me of my greatest pleasure well if you choose to be stiff and obstinate you must have your way but you cannot hinder me from finishing those smocks and Olivia who was full of admiration for Greta's exquisite smocking announced graciously that the smocks were to be the exception I was obliged to put my foot down Marcus she said afterwards or she would have bought everything I admired perhaps I am proud but no one but my husband or Aunt Mad shelled by my frocks and as Olivia said this she held up her head and looked so dignified and handsome that Marcus refrained from teasing her evidently such pride was no fault in his eyes and it was certain that he very much enjoyed choosing his wife's gowns Greta was the first to return the Gaythorns stayed away until the middle of September when Arwen paid his first visit Olivia was rejoiced to see the improvement in him he had gained weight and flesh and looked very handsome but Marcus was less satisfied with Mr. Gaythorn he is an old man before his time he observed I'm afraid he will never throw off his invalid habits now he can just potter about in the sunshine and amuse himself with his flowers but he will never be capable of work again the least effort to concentrate his thoughts for more than a few minutes seems to irritate his brain nothing pleases him better than to creep up to the Grand New Studio and watch Arwen at his work I shall be proud of him yet he said that to me yesterday and if you had seen his face when he said it End of Chapter 19


River State Governor Simeone Lai Fubara has expressed optimism that a political crisis involving himself and his predecessor, Nyesung Wike, will be resolved. The governor spoke when the chief of defense staff, General Christopher Musa, led a military delegation to the government house in Potarkot, the state capital. Speaking on the recent political crisis in the state, Governor Fubara assured that it is a family affair. I know a few things must have been going on, and everybody is wondering what is happening, what is not happening. There is no problem. If we have an internal issue, it will be resolved. And everybody, everything will go back to normal. There is nothing wrong if a father and a son has a problem, if there is any problem. But I don't think there is anything, whatever it is, I will definitely resolve the issue. He was also interested in a free and fair election in order to allow the will of the electorate to prevail, which is why he has given marching orders to the military to ensure that there is no intimidation or molestation during the election airing period. On his part, the chief of defense staff, General Christopher Musa, assured the River State Governor that the military will not renaissance on their statutory mandate of maintaining peace and preserving the unity of Nigeria. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has it, what I call it, is steam because it renews hope agenda. And I strongly believe that one of the items or the things that make up this agenda has to do with freedom and fairness. And that is the major reason why a Mozart commissioned the chief of defense staff to make sure that this election, office's election is conducted in a manner that will reflect that the people have voted, have voted for the world. A task demanded from the president to ensure that they maintain peace within their EURs, errors and responsibilities. And also to ensure that this election is credible, free and fair. It is from the president that his desire that henceforth elections should be conducted differently, without rancor, without violence, without intimidation. And he has assured us he does not have any candidate at mind, that we should provide an enabling environment so that voters can come out and freely vote who they want.


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