The Hampdenshire WonderBeresford, J. D. (John Davys)
Science
The Hampdenshire Wonder
Beresford, J. D. (John Davys)
Science fiction
Stott shifted in his chair and his eyes flickered uncertainly in the
direction of the cradle. "Dr. O'Connell says 'twill," he said.
"When did he see the child last?" asked Challis.
"Not since 'twere a week old, sir," replied Ellen.
"In that case his authority goes for nothing, and, then, by the way,
I suppose the child has not been vaccinated?"
"Not yet, sir."
"Better have that done. Get Walters. I'll make myself responsible. I'll
get him to come."
Before Challis left, it was decided that the Stotts should move to
Pym in February.
When the great landowner had gone, Mrs. Stott looked wistfully at
her husband.
"You ain't fair to the child, George," she said. "There's more than
you or any one sees, more than Mr. Challis, even."
Stott stared moodily into the fire.
"And it won't be so out of the way far for you, at Pym, with your
bike," she continued; "and we can't stop 'ere."
"We might 'a took a place in Ailesworth," said Stott.
"But it'll be so much 'ealthier for 'im up at Pym," protested
Ellen. "It'll be fine air up there for 'im."
"Oh! 'im. Yes, all right for 'im," said Stott, and spat into the
fire. Then he took his cap and went out. He kept his eyes away from
the cradle.
IV
Harvey Walters lived in Wenderby, but his consulting-rooms were in
Harley Street, and he did not practise in his own neighbourhood;
nevertheless he vaccinated Victor Stott to oblige Challis.
"Well?" asked Challis a few days later, "what do you make of him,
Walters? No clichés, now, and no professional jargon."
"Candidly, I don't know," replied Walters, after a thoughtful interval.
"How many times have you seen him?"
"Four, altogether."
"Good patient? Healthy flesh and that sort of thing?"
"Splendid."
"Did he look you in the eyes?"
"Once, only once, the first time I visited the house."
Challis nodded. "My own experience, exactly. And did you return that
look of his?"
"Not willingly. It was, I confess, not altogether a pleasant
experience."
"Ah!"
Challis was silent for a few moments, and it was Walters who took up
the interrogatory.
"Challis!"
"Yes?"
"Have you, now, some feeling of, shall I say, distaste for the
child? Do you feel that you have no wish to see it again?"
"Is it that exactly?" parried Challis.
"If not, what is it?" asked Walters.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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