"No, Doctor," said Carol, quietly, "it is Christian Science."
"Then what is Christian Science?" the doctor asked.
But the boy was silent. He could talk to his aunt on the subject, but not to the doctor.
At that moment a maid brought a telegram to Mrs. Mandeville. It was from Miss Desmond. She read it, and passed it on to Dr. Burton. It was brief: "Letters and telegrams reached me 9.30 last evening. Regret unavoidable delay. Kindly wire if all is well. Letter to Carol follows." The doctor and Mrs. Mandeville simply looked at each other in speechless wonderment, one thought engrossing them. It was shortly after 9.30 the night before that Carol fell into the sleep from which he had awakened well.
"It is at last a message from Cousin Alicia," Mrs. Mandeville then said to Carol. "Our letters and telegrams did not reach her till 9.30 last evening."
"Yes, Auntie, I knew it, and I know she has worked for me all night."
Both Mrs. Mandeville and the doctor would have liked to understand what the boy meant by that one word "worked." But neither questioned him then.
"I can get up now, Doctor, cannot I?" Carol asked.
"Yes, there is no reason that I can see for keeping you in bed. All the same," turning to Mrs. Mandeville, "I should say he may as well be kept fairly quiet for a day or two--not commence running races, or any other juvenile sports."
"You can trust me, Doctor," Mrs. Mandeville remarked, smiling.