“I’ve been ringing that bell,” she said viciously, “for a whole hour without anyone coming to answer it. I’ve had three separate fits of hysterics. I feel so ill that I can’t speak. I shall claim damages from Dr. Morlan. Never, never, NEVER have I been treated like this before. Here I come—a quivering victim of nerves, riddled by neurasthenia—come here to be nursed back to health and strength by Dr. Morlan, and first of all off he goes to some aunt or other, then off goes the housemaid. And I shall report that cook to Dr. Morlan the minute he returns, the minute he returns. I’ll sue her for damages. I’ll sue the whole lot of you for damages; I’m going to have hysterics again.”
She had them, and William watched with calm interest and enjoyment. It was even more diverting than the silver cleaning and the hose pipe. When she’d finished she sat up and wiped her eyes.
“Why don’t you do something?” she said irritably to William.
“All right—what?” said William obligingly, but rather sorry that the entertainment had come to an end.
“Fetch the cook,” snapped the lady, “ask her how she dare ignore my bell for hours and hours and HOURS. Tell her I’m going to sue her for damages. Tell her——”
“She’s gone,” said William.
“Gone!” screamed the lady. “Gone where?”
“Gone off,” said William; “she said she was fair finished an’ went off.”
“When’s she coming back? I’m in a most critical state of health. All this neglect and confusion will be. the death of my nervous system. When’s she coming back?”
“Never,” said William. “She’s gone off for good. She said her nervous system was wore out an’ went off—for good.”