He had long suspected that well-meaning Mrs. Farnham did a good deal of “poor-Lestering” at the Knapps. Maybe this was a chance to head her off, to get her mind started along a new track. Of course he must remember to use the simplest, most elementary language with her. She was really almost an illiterate. “I’ll tell you, Mrs. Farnham, just what I think about the case. As near as I can make out, the effusion of blood within the spinal canal has been safely absorbed, or nearly so. There seems to be no displacement or injury to the spinal bones; there is no wasting away of the muscles as would be the case if the spinal cord were injured. There is, I believe, good reason to hope that the loss of power in his legs is a sequel of organic conditions which have now passed away. The case now needs a psychic treatment rather than a mechanical.” “Organic?” said Mrs. Farnham, faintly. The word made her think of church. “I mean that in my opinion no physical lesion now exists in spite of the abnormal sensations which Mr. Knapp still feels. We must try toning up the general health, overcoming the shock to the nervous system. As soon as the weather permits, I shall try heliotherapy.” Mrs. Farnham caught her breath. “That is, treatment of the affected areas by direct exposure to sunlight. They have done wonderful things in France with that treatment in just this sort of trouble. And of course at any time any sort of sudden nervous stimulus might do the business. You see, Mrs. Farnham, Mr. Knapp’s case is now like that of the people who are cured at Lourdes, or by Coué. The very same sort of phenomenon.” “I don’t understand very well,” said Mattie humbly. “What I wanted to know was ...” her voice faltered, “_do you think you can cure him?_” “Isn’t she the dumb-bell!” thought the doctor. He went on aloud, hoping she would repeat his words to Mrs. Knapp, “Don’t you say anything about it, Mrs. Farnham, especially to Mrs. Knapp. I don’t want to crow till we are out of the woods. I wouldn’t say anything to you if you were not a relative and a sensible woman. I don’t want them to have a breath of it, for fear of disappointment....” (How strangely she was looking at him, her face so white and anxious!) He brought it out roundly, “Yes, Mrs. Farnham, just between us, I really believe I can cure him.” She gave a low cry that was like a wail. “Oh, Doctor!” she cried, appalled, staring at him. What was the matter with the woman, now? He stared back at her, blankly, startled, entirely at a loss. Another look came into her eyes, an imploring, imploring look. She clasped her hands beseechingly. “Oh, _Doctor_!” she begged him, in a quavering voice. * * * * * From her eyes, from her voice, from her beseeching attitude, from her trembling hands, he took in her meaning--took it in with a tingling shock of surprise at first. And then with a deep recognition of it as something he had known all along.