"It seems to me you should consult the lady who has worked for him all night with such marvellous success. I can scarcely consider him my patient now."
"Doctor, I thank you very much for all you tried to do for me. You were very kind and gentle to me."
"Tut-tut, boy! Why, that's of course."
All the same the doctor was pleased with the boy's simple recognition of his services. He would indeed have done more, had he been able. He walked home slowly and thoughtfully, pondering that question, which he had asked the boy, thinking of a lecture which he had given a few weeks before in a crowded parish room; how he himself had answered the question--What is Christian Science?--to the convulsive amusement of his audience. He had dipped into a book--the text-book of Christian Science--made copious extracts and so satisfied himself that he understood the subject sufficiently to be able to warn people against the teachings of Christian Science.
Mrs. Burton was watching for his return. She was anxious for news of the boy, fearing the early message which had been sent for the doctor must mean that he was worse. By her side, in the garden, seated in a little wheel-chair, was her only child, a girl of ten, who after a fall downstairs when she was five years old, causing an injury to her spine, had lost the use of her legs. There seemed no hope of her ever being able to walk again, since all the doctors who had seen her had not been able to do anything for her.
"How is the boy?" asked Mrs. Burton, as the doctor entered the garden in front of the house.
"He is well," was the brief reply.
"You don't mean?--" Mrs. Burton began in an alarmed tone.
"I mean exactly what I say--the boy is well."
"But, dear, how can that be, when he was so ill yesterday?"