The Strand Magazine, Vol. 07, Issue 38, February, 1894: An Illustrated MonthlyVarious
General
The Strand Magazine, Vol. 07, Issue 38, February, 1894: An Illustrated Monthly
Various
English literature -- Periodicals; Short stories, English -- Periodicals
"The operation is well over," I exclaimed, "and my patient is at
present sound asleep. When he awakens the moment will have arrived
when we must prove whether I have done anything for him or not. Will
you have the courage to come into the room with me, Mrs. Mainwaring?
I should like him to see you when he opens his eyes. If he recognises
you, I shall know that I have been successful."
To my surprise she shrank back.
"No," she said, "the ordeal is too terrible. Failure means too much
agony. I cannot endure it; I am not strong enough."
"Then what is to be done?" I asked. "In any case, Mainwaring will know
his father. His knowledge of _you_ is the test which I require to tell
me whether I have succeeded or failed."
She smiled faintly and left the room. In a moment she returned, holding
by the hand a beautiful little girl of five years of age. She had a
wealth of red-gold hair falling almost to her waist; her large eyes
were like sapphires.
"This is Nancy," said the mother, "her father's pet and idol. I sent
for her this morning. When my husband awakens, take her into the
room--she is not shy. If her father recognises her, all is well."
"Very well," I replied.
All that day I watched by Mainwaring; in the evening I came for Nancy.
"Come," I said. The child looked at me with her grave eyes--she was
perfectly calm and self-possessed. I lifted her in my arms and left the
room with her.
I entered the bedroom where my patient lay. The child's arms encircled
my neck. My heart was beating quickly, anxiously. Little Nancy looked
at me in surprise.
"Is father ill?" she asked.
Mainwaring's eyes were open. I put the child on the floor.
"Go and speak to him," I said.
She ran up to the bed.
"Are you ill, dad?" she repeated, in a clear, high voice.
"Halloa, Nan!" he said, smiling at her.
He stretched out one of his hands. The child caught it and covered it
with kisses.
"Send your mother to me, my sweet Nan," he said, after a pause.
Then I knew that Mainwaring had got back his ten years.
_Illustrated Interviews._
No. XXX.--MR. EDWARD LLOYD.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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