“Oh, I know that.”
“Well, then, your name is Captain Nichol.
This is Mr. Nichol, your father; this lady is your
mother. Call them father and mother when you
speak to them. Always speak kindly and pleasantly.
They’ll take you to a pleasant home when I’m
through with you, and you must mind them. They’ll
be good to you everyway.”
Nichol grinned acquiescence and said: “All
right, Doctor.”
“Now you show your good sense. We’ll
have you sound and happy yet.” The doctor
thought a moment and then asked: “Mr. Nichol,
I suppose that after our visit to Mr. Kemble, you
and your wife would prefer to take your son home with
you?”
“Certainly,” was the prompt response.
“I would advise you to do so. After our
next effort, however it results, we all will need
rest and time for thought. Captain, remain here
a few moments with your father and mother. Listen
good-naturedly and answer pleasantly to whatever they
may say to you. I will be back soon.”
“I’m Helen”
Dr. Barnes descended the stairs to the parlor where
Mr. Kemble impatiently awaited him. “Well?”
said the banker, anxiously.
“I will explain while on the way to your house.
The carriage is still ready, I suppose?” to
Jackson.
“Yes,” was the eager reply; “how
did he take the meeting of his parents?”
“In the main as I feared. He does not know
them yet. Mr. Jackson, you and I are somewhat
alike in one of our duties. I never talk about
my patients. If I did, I ought to be drummed out
of the town instead of ever being called upon again.
Of course you feel that you should not talk about
your guests. You can understand why the parties
concerned in this matter would not wish to have it
discussed in the village.”
“Certainly, Doctor, certainly,” replied
Jackson, reddening, for he knew something of his reputation
for gossip. “This is no ordinary case.”
“No, it is not. Captain Nichol and his
friends would never forgive any one who did not do
right by them now. In about fifteen minutes or
so I will return. Have the carriage wait for me
at Mr. Kemble’s till again wanted. You
may go back to the captain and do your best to keep
him wide-awake.”
Jackson accompanied them to the conveyance and said
to the man on the box: “Obey all Dr. Barnes’s
orders.”
As soon as the two men were seated, the physician
began: “Our first test has failed utterly;”
and he briefly narrated what had occurred, concluding,
“I fear your daughter will have no better success.
Still, it is perhaps wise to do all we can, on the
theory that these sudden shocks may start up the machinery
of memory. Nichol is excited; such powers as
he possesses are stimulated to their highest activity,
and he is evidently making a strong effort to recall
the past, I therefore now deem it best to increase
the pressure on his brain to the utmost. If the
obstruction does not give way, I see no other course
than to employ the skill of experts and trust to the
healing processes of time.”
