as strong as a moor pony, is Dickon.
And he s trusty, said Mary. He s th trustiest lad i Yorkshire.
She had been talking Yorkshire to Colin and she forgot herself.
Did Dickon teach you that? asked Dr. Craven, laughing outright.
I m learning it as if it was French, said Mary rather coldly. It s
like a native dialect in India. Very clever people try to learn them. I
like it and so does Colin.
Well, well, he said. If it amuses you perhaps it won t do you any
harm. Did you take your bromide last night, Colin?
No, Colin answered. I wouldn t take it at first and after Mary made
me quiet she talked me to sleep in a low voice about the spring
creeping into a garden.
That sounds soothing, said Dr. Craven, more perplexed than ever and
glancing sideways at Mistress Mary sitting on her stool and looking
down silently at the carpet. You are evidently better, but you must
remember
I don t want to remember, interrupted the Rajah, appearing again.
When I lie by myself and remember I begin to have pains everywhere and
I think of things that make me begin to scream because I hate them so.
If there was a doctor anywhere who could make you forget you were ill
instead of remembering it I would have him brought here. And he waved
a thin hand which ought really to have been covered with royal signet
rings made of rubies. It is because my cousin makes me forget that she
makes me better.
Dr. Craven had never made such a short stay after a tantrum ; usually
he was obliged to remain a very long time and do a great many things.
This afternoon he did not give any medicine or leave any new orders and
he was spared any disagreeable scenes. When he went downstairs he
looked very thoughtful and when he talked to Mrs. Medlock in the
library she felt that he was a much puzzled man.
Well, sir, she ventured, could you have believed it?
156