That set our Ett to rights. “
” We are fortunate,” I said, ” to have such a good doctor to look after us.”
She smiled. And I felt happier at the sight of her, shaking out my clothes and hanging them in the wardrobe. With her not uncomely person and her bright Yorkshire good sense, she brought normality into the room.
After dinner that first evening we were all assembled in one of the sitting-rooms on the first floor—not far from my own room—when Dr.
Smith was announced.
” Bring him up,” said Ruth; and as the door closed on the servant, she said to me: ” He comes at all times. He’s so attentive.”
” He fusses too much,” grumbled Sir Matthew. ” I’m all right now.”
As Dr. Smith came into the room he was, I was sure, looking for me.
” I’m so pleased to see you, Mrs. Rockwell,” he said.
“You know the reason why she’s returned, eh?” Sir Matthew asked.
” Indeed I do. I prophesy that by the end of the week there won’t be one person in the village who doesn’t know it. I can assure you that it makes me happy … very happy.”
” You are not alone in that,” said Sir Matthew.
“We are going through the nursery together,” announced Sarah like a young child who had been promised a special treat.
” In fact,” put in Luke—and was his voice mildly sardonic? “—we are preparing to join in the chorus while Catherine sings the Magnificat.”
There was a slightly shocked silence at this irreverence, but Dr.
Smith said quickly: “We must take great care of Mrs. Rockwell.”
” We are all determined to do that,” Ruth assured him.
The doctor came over to me and took my hand briefly in his. There was a certain magnetism about this man, of which I think I had been aware before, but which now struck me forcibly. He was outstandingly handsome in his dark way, and I knew that he was capable of deep feeling. I guessed that, disappointed in his marriage as he must be, he sublimated his desires for a wife’s affection in his devotion to his patients. “ noticed that Sir Matthew, although complaining of his overzealousness, was nevertheless pleased to see him, and it was clear to me that the old man felt comforted by his presence. I remembered what Mary-Jane had said of his kindness to her sister. The people of this neighbourhood perhaps should thank that unsatisfactory wife of his since his devotion to their needs was the stronger because of her.
” I know you are so fond of riding,” he said. ” but I don’t think I should indulge in it too frequently … not after this month at any rate.”
” I won’t,” I promised.
” You’ll be a good and sensible young lady, I am sure of that.”
” Have you been visiting Worstwhistle to-day?” asked Ruth ” I have,” said the doctor.
“And it has depressed you. That place always does.” Ruth turned to me.
” Dr. Smith gives his services free, not only to patients who cannot afford to pay, but to this … hospital.”
” Oh come,” cried the doctor, laughing, ” don’t make a saint of me.
Someone has to look in on those people now and then . and don’t forget if I have poor patients here I also have rich ones. I fleece the rich to help the poor. “
” A regular Robin Hood,” said Luke.
Dr. Smith turned to Sir Matthew.
“Well, sir,” he said. ” I’m going to have a look at you today.”
“You think it’s necessary?”
” I think that since I am here …”
” Very well,” said Sir Matthew rather testily, ” but first of all you must join us in a toast. I’m going to have some of my best champagne brought up from the cellars. Luke, ring the bell.”
Luke did so and Sir Matthew gave the order.
The wine was brought, the glasses filled.
Sir Matthew filled his glass and cried: ” To my grandson.” He put his arm about me while we all drank.
Very soon after that the doctor went with Sir Matthew to his room and I went to mine. Mary-Jane, determined to be a real lady’s maid, was turning down the bed for me.
” Thank you, Mary Jane
” Is there anything else you’ll be wanting, madam?”
I did not think there was, so I said good night to her, but as she went to the door I called: ” By the way, Mary Jane do you know a place called Worstwhistle?” She stopped short and stared at me.
“Why, yes, madam. It’s some ten miles off on the way Harrogate.”
“What sort of place is it, Mary Jane
” It’s the place where mad people go.”
” Oh, I see. Good night, Mary Jane
The next morning I was awakened by Mary-Jane, who came in to draw the curtains and bring my hot water.
It was comforting to wake up and see her pleasant face. She was, looking a little shocked because there had been no need to draw the curtains as I had pulled them back before getting into bed; and I had opened the window. Mary Jane shared the belief that night air was ” dangerous.”
I told her that I always slept with my window open, except in the depth of winter; and I was sure that she had decided I should need a great deal of looking after.
I took my bath in the powder-room and went along to the first-floor dining-room for breakfast. I felt quite hungry. Two mouths to feed now, I reminded myself, as I took eggs, bacon and devilled kidneys from the chafing dish on the sideboard.
I knew the routine. Breakfast was taken between eight and nine, and one helped oneself.
I rang for coffee and when it was brought to me I was joined by Luke.
Later Ruth appeared and solicitously asked if I had had a good night and liked my room.
Had I any plans for the day? they wanted to know. Luke was going to Ripon and would be delighted to buy anything I needed. I thanked him and told him that I should need things, but I had not yet decided what.
“There’s plenty of time before the happy event,” he said; and his mother murmured his name indulgently, because she thought it was somewhat indelicate to refer to the birth of my child. I did not mind. It was something I wanted to think oi continually.
I told them that I would take a little walk during the morning; I was longing to have a look at the Abbey again.
“The place appeals strongly to you,” remarked Luke. ” I believe it’s the main reason why you wanted to come back here.”
” It would interest anyone,” I answered.
” You must not exhaust yourself,” Ruth warned me.
” I feel very fit, so I don’t think there’s any danger of that.”
” All the same you have to remember to take care.” The conversation turned to the affairs of the neighbour hood: the effort of the vicar to raise money for the upkeep of the church, the bazaars and jumble sales he was organising for this purpose, the ball which a friend was giving and which we could not attend as we were in mourning.
The sun streamed through the windows of that pleasant room and there was certainly nothing eerie about Kirkland Revels that morning. Even the Abbey, which I visited a few hours later, appeared to be nothing but a pile of ruins.
So that was a pleasant walk. I felt serene, ready to accept the theory that Gabriel had killed himself because of his illness. It seemed strange that I should feel more contented to believe that, but I did; perhaps it was because I was afraid of the alternative.
I came back though the Abbey ruins. It was very quiet- peaceful was the word to describe it this morning. This was merely a shell; the brilliant sunshine falling on to the grass floors, exposing the crumbling walls, defied that sense of the supernatural. I thought back to the evening when I walked here and panicked, and I laughed at my folly.
Luncheon was a quiet meal which I shared with Ruth and Luke, Sir Matthew and Aunt Sarah taking theirs in their rooms.