“The boy, then?”
“No.”
“What is troubling you? Tell me.”
“Day and night I have a terrible fear that something dreadful is going to happen; I’ve had it often, but controlled it with a strong effort. Since the night of the fire it has come back with terrible force. I suffer tortures.”
“When you go out, do you feel as if someone were following you to do you harm?”
“Yes, yes,” she had her eyes fixed on the boat. It seemed to have a terrible fascination for her.
The doctor took the boat from the table, turning it over in his hands. He was thoughtful—puzzled.
“How perfectly they make these toys.”
“Yes, it floats and sinks like a real motor boat.” The suggestion gave the doctor an idea.
“Do you like the water?”