“Yes.”
“I believe not, Doctor.”
“I've seen him at the Squire's.”
“Nothing serious, or I should have known of it. Henry is rather shy about the girls.”
“And you wish me to see him to-night?”
“Yes. Something ought to be done.”
“What is his condition just now?” I inquired. “How did you leave him?”
“He's been in bed nearly all day, and hasn't touched a mouthful. To all my persuasions and entreaties he answers—'Please, mother, let me alone. I will be better after a while.'”
“I think,” said I, after musing on the case, “that, may be, the let-alone prescription will be the best one for the present. He is prostrated by some strong mental emotion—that seems clear; and time must be given for the mind to regain its equipoise. If I were to call, as you desire, it might annoy or irritate him, and so do more harm than good. No medicine that I can give is at all likely to reach his case.”
Mrs. Wallingford looked disappointed, and demurred strongly to my conclusion.