The doctor! Matthew stared in astonishment.
"What are you gaping at? Do you take me for a fool, or yourself, which?
Be off, I tell yer, and don"t let yer shadow darken this door again without him. Maybe he"ll be able to say what"s ailing me."
Away went Matthew, in a ludicrous state of bewilderment. His wife must be bad indeed to send for the doctor; why he had never known her do such a thing since they married. What a trouble he had had only a few months ago to get her to see young Mr. Blane, and now she wanted him to come at once. Matthew began to think his wife was crazy, as well as Jane; perhaps she had sent him on a fool"s errand. He insensibly slackened his steps as he neared the village, and bethought him what he should say, as he suddenly recollected he had received no instructions whatever.
The more he thought the more perplexed he grew, and seeing some boys playing at marbles, Matthew drew near, and leaning against the railings, watched them, and turned over again in his mind what he should say; but loiter as he would, he could think of nothing save his wife"s angry face, as she had bade him begone; so, after a short delay, Matthew faced the danger by boldly ringing the surgery bell.
"Is the Maister at home?" asked he, fervently wishing he might be miles away.
Yes, Mr. Blane was in, and Marks followed the boy sorrowfully.
"Good morning, Mr. Marks. Come for some medicine? Where"s the bottle?"
"No, thank"ee, Sir," said Matthew, twirling his hat about uncomfortably.
"My wife"s took worse, and wants to know if so be ye"d make it convenient to come and physic her?"
Yes; Mr. Blane could go at once, having no other call upon his time just at present.
"And what"s the matter with Mrs. Marks?" asked he, when they were fairly on their way.
"That"s more nor I can tell, Sir. She"s all over like a live coal, and "ud drink a bucket full if ye"d give it her."
"Has she taken the medicine regularly?"
This was a poser. Matthew scratched his head, took off his cap; he was in no way prepared for such a question. What should he say?
"Well," said he presently, in a conciliating tone, "Well, you see, Sir, when folks is ill they takes queer fancies sometimes, as I dare say yer know better nor I can tell"ee. Now my wife"s got hers, and no mistake; she says you"ve gived her pisin."
It was Mr. Blane"s turn now to be astonished, this being an answer he was not prepared for. "Poison!" he echoed.
"Yes, just pisin, and nothing else; but there, Sir, there"s no call to be frightened, her head"s that dizzy she can"t scarce open her eyes, much less know what she says."
"Has she taken a fresh cold?"
"Not that I knows on, Sir, t"aint possible now: her legs is so cramped she"s "bliged to bide in doors."
"Poor thing! She seems patient enough under it all."
"Lord bless yer, Sir! Patient? Why she lets fly more nor any "ooman I know on; I can"t say but what she do look meek enough when yer"e at the "pike, but as soon as she"s the least way riled she"ll find more words at her tongue"s end than any other "ooman in the parish. It"s my belief that"s all that"s the matter with her now; she"ve bin rating the whole on us roundly one after t"other and has just worked herself into a biling rage, for nothing at all."
"If that is all; the mischief is soon healed," said Mr. Blane, entering the cottage.
Mrs. Marks sat just where her husband had left her, but her eyes were closed and her face strangely flushed. She looked up wearily and languidly, with not a trace of the temper her husband had spoken of, and said not a word as the doctor took her burning hand in his and felt its quick pulse.
"You had better get your wife to bed, Marks it will be more comfortable for her than sitting here."
"Yes, Sir," said Marks, wondering how it was to be accomplished. However he drew near and said, "Dont"ee think, old "ooman, yer"d best do as the doctor "vises yer."
"In course," was the feeble reply, so different to the loud angry one Matthew expected that he was staggered, and still more so when she attempted to stand, but could not, and he and the young doctor between them had to carry her to bed.
"What ails her, Sir?" asked Matthew, as Mr. Blane was going away. "D"yer think it"s the tongue"s done it?"
"That may have increased the fever but not caused it," was the reply.
"The faiver! Oh Lord; what"s to be done now?"
What was to be done, indeed?
Jane gave up the house-work and tended her sister night and day, leaving Matthew and the girl to do as best they could without her, while for days Mrs. Marks struggled between life and death; then she grew better, the fever left her, and she lay weak as an infant, but otherwise progressing favourably.
One evening Jane came downstairs and took up her station opposite her brother-in-law, who, instead of rejoicing at the change, viewed her presence with a rueful face. When his wife was present he could sometimes forget Jane, but all alone it was impossible; move which way he would he was sensible her eyes were on him as she plied her knitting needles at her old work. How he hated that constant click, click!
"Did yer think t"was time for supper?" asked he presently, driven to say something to break the silence, becoming every moment more intolerable.
"No."
"How"s the Missus this evening?"
"Better. She"s asleep."
"That"s all right. I"m glad on it," he said, "for she"ve had a hard time of it upstairs. When is it likely she"ll be about again?"
"What did the doctor say? Didn"t he tell you when?"
"He don"t trouble to say much. I"m sure I"m right down glad when he don"t say she"s worse, for that"s been the one word in his mouth lately."
Jane made no reply, but the feeling that her eyes were fixed steadily on him exasperated him beyond control.
"What d"yer see in my ugly mug?" he asked. "Have you fallen in love with it?"
"No."
"Then may be yer sees som"ut to skeer yer?"
"It"s bad to have anything on the mind," she replied.
Matthew winced a little. "I"ll tell you a piece of my mind," he said, throwing his half-smoked pipe into the fire, "I"ll take Mrs. Marks"
sauce and welcome, but I"m d--d if I take any other "ooman"s living."
"I wonder whatever ails you?" said she, quietly.
"Ails me? D"yer want to make believe I"m going to be knocked down with the faiver? I"m not such an a.s.s, I can tell yer, yer looks a dale more likely yerself; and as to yer mind? yer look as though a horse couldn"t carry the load yer"ve got on it. A terrible bad load too, I"ll take my oath on it."
Jane shivered from head to foot.
"I"ll take up the broth," she said, "most likely Anne"s awake before now."