"Does he suffer pain?"
"You ask on account of the shriek you heard. As far as we can tell, he does not. The shriek comes, so the doctor tells us, from a nervous spasm. He would have been a bright boy if he had kept his health. Would you like to see him?"
Chester shrank back.
"I am afraid I should excite him," he said.
He had, besides, an idea that a boy so afflicted would be repulsive in appearance.
"No," said Arthur, "it may relieve him to see you by diverting his thoughts."
Without further words, he opened the door of a room at the head of the staircase and entered, followed reluctantly by Chester.
"Ernest," said Arthur, in a soothing tone, "I have brought you a friend. His name is Chester."
Chester was amazed at the sight of the boy. He was wonderfully handsome, especially when at Arthur"s words the look of pain left his face and it brightened into radiant beauty. He seemed to fall in love with Chester at first sight. He ran up to him, seized his hand, kissed it, and said:
"I love you."
Arthur, too, looked amazed.
"He never took to anyone so before," he said. "You have fascinated him."
"Sit down. Let me sit in your lap," pleaded Ernest.
All feeling of repugnance, all thoughts of the boy"s malady were forgotten. Chester sat in a low rocking-chair and Ernest seated himself in his lap, touching his face and hair softly with a caressing hand.
"What a charming boy he is!" thought Chester.
"Did you come to see me?" asked Ernest, softly.
"Yes, I came with Arthur."
"Will you stay with me a little while?"
"A little while, but I must soon go. Why did you scream so loud a little while ago?"
"I--don"t know."
"Were you in pain?"
"N--no," answered Ernest, softly.
"Do you like to cry out in that manner?"
"No, but--I have to do it. I can"t help it."
"I think he gives the right explanation," said Arthur. "It is a nervous impulse, and has nothing to do with pain."
"Does he ever sit in your lap, like this?"
"No; I think he likes me in a way, for I am always kind to him, but you seem to draw him to you irresistibly."
At that moment the professor came in. When he saw Ernest sitting in Chester"s lap, he stopped short in astonishment.
"This is strange," he said.
"Isn"t it, uncle? Chester seems to fascinate my little cousin. No sooner did he enter the room than Ernest ran up to him, kissed his hand, and caressed him."
"I can"t explain it," said the professor, "but Chester seems to have a wonderful influence over my poor boy. I never saw him look so happy or contented before."
All this while Ernest continued to stroke Chester"s cheek and his hair, and regarded him with looks of fond affection.
"I am afraid Ernest annoys you," said the professor.
"No; I am glad he likes me. I never had a little brother. I think I should enjoy having one."
"If he could only be always like this," said the professor, regretfully.
Just then Margaret entered. She was the nurse, who had constant charge of Ernest. She paused on the threshold, and her looks showed her surprise.
"Ernest has found a friend, Margaret," said the professor.
"I never saw the like, sir. Come here, Ernest."
The boy shook his head.
"No, I want to stay with him," indicating Chester.
"Did Ernest ever see him before, sir?"
"No; it seems to be a case of love at first sight."
"He has cut me out," said Arthur, smiling. "Ernest, which do you like best, me or him?"
"Him," answered Ernest, touching Chester"s cheek.
"I must tell Dr. Gridley of this new manifestation on the part of my poor boy," said the professor. "Perhaps he can interpret it."
For twenty minutes Chester retained Ernest on his lap. Then Arthur said:
"Chester must go now, Ernest."
The boy left Chester"s lap obediently.
"Will you come and see me again?" he pleaded.
"Yes, I will come," said Chester, and, stooping over, he kissed the boy"s cheek. Ernest"s face lighted up with a loving smile, and again he kissed Chester"s hand.