"I FELT HER PULSE."
"You must remember," said Mrs. Heathcote, "that she has lately lost her father."
"Even so," I replied; "that would scarcely account for her nervous condition. A healthy-minded child will not be overcome with grief to the serious detriment of health after an interval of six months. At least," I added, "that is my experience in ordinary cases."
"I am grieved to hear it," said Mrs. Heathcote.
She looked very much troubled. Her agitation was apparent in her trembling hands and quivering lips.
"Your daughter is in a nervous condition," I said, rising. "She has no disease at present, but a little extra strain might develop real disease, or might affect her nerves, already overstrung, to a dangerous degree. I should recommend complete change of air and scene immediately."
Mrs. Heathcote sighed heavily.
"You don't look very well yourself," I said, giving her a keen glance.
She flushed crimson.
"I have felt my sorrow acutely," she replied.