'He is old-fashioned, and
quite ignorant of the new medicines. No, bishop, you must go to
Droitwich.'

'And you, my dear, to Nauheim!'

At this point matters came to an issue between them, for Mrs Pendle, who
like most people possessed a fund of what may be called nervous
obstinacy, positively refused to leave England. On his side, the bishop
insisted more eagerly than was his custom that Mrs Pendle should undergo
the Schott treatment at Nauheim. For some time the argument was
maintained with equal determination on both sides, until Mrs Pendle
concluded it by bursting into tears and protesting that her husband did
not understand her in the least. Whereupon, as the only way to soothe
her, the bishop admitted that he was in the wrong and apologised.

All the same, he was determined that his wife should go abroad, and
thinking she might yield to professional persuasions, he sent for Dr
Graham. By Cargrim a message was brought that the doctor would be with
the bishop next morning, so Pendle, not to provoke further argument,
said nothing more on the subject to his wife. But here Lucy came on the
scene, and seemed equally as averse as her mother to Continental travel.
She immediately entered her protest against the proposed journey.

'Mamma is better now than ever she was,' said Lucy, 'and if she goes to
Nauheim the treatment will only weaken her.'

'It will strengthen her in the long run, Lucy. I hear wonderful accounts
of the Nauheim cures.'

'Oh, papa, every Bad says that it cures more patients than any other,
just as every Bad advertises that its waters have so much per cent. more
salt or sodium or iodine, or whatever they call it, than the rest.
Besides, if you really think mamma should try this cure she can have it
at Bath or in London. They say it is just as good in either place as at
Nauheim.'

'I think not, Lucy; and I wish you and your mother to go abroad for a
month or two. My mind is made up on the subject.'

'Why, papa,' cried Lucy, playfully, 'one would think you wanted to get
rid of us.'

The bishop winced and turned a shade paler. 'You are talking at random,
my dear,' he said gravely; 'if it were not for your mother's good I
should not deprive myself of your society.'

'Poor mother!' sighed Lucy, and 'poor Harry,' she added as an
afterthought.

'There need be no "poor Harry" about the matter,' said Dr Pendle, rather
sharply. 'If that is what is troubling you, I daresay Harry will be glad
to esc