"So long!" repeated Marion, startled. "How long? It isn't so very long since you went to Doctor Smith the first time."
"Yes, but then I used it a little before that. I used to take it when I was a girl, before I was married, till mother got scared and made me promise that I would never touch whisky again without the advice of a physician. I did not for a long time, but I felt so weak and miserable that I know I needed it. I tried to get Doctor Fenn or your uncle to recommend it, but they wouldn't. So finally I began it without any prescription, but I didn't feel really easy till I got Doctor Smith's word for it. But I won't be so careless again, I promise you."
Marion was forced to be content; but, it was not long before the same thing happened again, also when Asahel was away for a day and night. Again Marion screened and covered up and watched. Again Gerty was sorry and declared that it was an accident. She certainly did not thrive on Doctor Smith's treatment. She grew thin and pale, querulous and suspicious.
Jane, the housemaid went away, and Marion found her hands full enough of work between nursing Gerty, keeping house, and presiding at the table when, as too often happened, Gerty was unable to appear. Tanners are famous for having company. They sleep, dine, and sup at each other's houses as a matter of course; and Marion never knew that she might not have two or three strange gentlemen and ladies to entertain at dinner and tea. She could not tell whether or not Asahel was aware of the true cause of Gerty's attacks, but she felt that the subject was one to which she could not venture to allude. She felt her position to be an awkward and trying one. Certainly it was very different from any ever occupied or contemplated by the heiress of the McGregors, being one where she had a great deal of hard work and annoyance with very little credit.
Gerty was one of the most skilful of housekeepers, but now she could hardly be brought to take any interest or give any directions. With all her pains, Marion often made mistakes and omissions, and Asahel felt the difference, and sometimes commented on it. Mary, an elderly Irish woman, took her own way, with very little respect to Miss Marion's authority, and the new girl broke dishes, slopped water, and blundered without stint. Marion had never worked so hard in her life. Her drawing was entirely laid aside, she had no time to read, and withal she suffered from over-fatigue, and had returns of her old backaches. She had just made up her mind that she must go home, when matters came to a climax.
A gentleman and his wife came to tea. Gerty was asleep, and Marion prepared to do the honours, as usual. By some unlucky accident, Gerty was awakened; and hearing strange voices in the dining-room, she presently made her appearance with scarlet face and disordered dress, and pushing Marion aside, she took her own place at the tea-board uttering incoherent reproaches against her husband and Marion for not calling her when there was company in the house.
It was a dreadful time. The visitors took their leave as soon as they could, and Gerty was got back to bed.
The next day she was very ill, really ill, and before night had a copious bleeding from the lungs. Doctor Campbell was sent for, but gave no hope of her recovery.
Gerty was sober enough now. After the examination, she insisted on knowing what the doctor thought.
He told her as gently as he could.