“Tibby, Mrs. Wylie tells me you sometimes see people you do not like and have a way of punishing them.�
“Yes,� said Tibby meekly; “sometimes.�
“Miss Tibby, haven’t we walked about enough? Let us sit down upon this roller. I want to talk to you. You conquered Tempest very easily. I believe you have uncommon power,� he continued, as Tibby sat down and began to fan her face with her riding-hat.
“Do you think so?� Tibby’s voice was mockingly suggestive.
“Yes, I am convinced of it. And I have been waiting for an opportunity to ask how long you have known and used this power.�
Tibby looked keenly at Mark.
“I am not sure I understand you. To what power do you refer?�
“The power to make every person or beast yield to your will. You are a hypnotist, Miss Waring, and an uncommonly powerful one.�
The girl looked up eagerly.
“Do you really think so, Mr. Cramer? I have wondered myself if that might not be the case. I know—have known for a long time—that if I really willed any one to do a thing, he was quite apt to do it. When I was a little girl I used to sit in church and make people turn and look at me—it was the only way I could amuse myself through those long sermons which my stepmother made me listen to every Sunday; and sometimes I have made people stumble, or even fall, just for fun or to punish them. I know it wasn’t a praiseworthy amusement, but—� Tibby hesitated.