ad seen physicians do, and at length succeeded in
pressing down the tongue so as to discover what she took to be
diphtheria patches on the fauces.

"Mrs. Martin, I am sure this is diphtheria. You must get a doctor right
away."

"I'll attend to that," said Mr. Martin, who had now got his beard off
and his coat on.

As he donned his hat and went out the door, Mrs. Martin called: "Father,
you'd better get Dr. Beswick"; but her husband made no reply further
than to say, "I'll attend to that," without interrupting for a moment
his steady tramp down the stairs.

"I'm afraid," said Mrs. Martin, "that he has gone for Miss Bowyer."

"I hope not," said Phillida.

"If he gets her he'll be awfully stubborn. He has been offended that I
sent for you last night. It touches his dignity. He thinks that if he
doesn't have his way in certain things he is put out of his place as
head of the family."

Phillida presently perceived that Mrs. Martin was shedding tears of
apprehension.

"My poor little Tommy! I shall lose him."

"Oh, no; I hope not," said Phillida.

But Mrs. Martin shook her head.

In about half an hour Henry Martin, with a look that came near to being
more than usually solemn, ushered in Dr. Eleanor Arabella Bowyer, and
then sat himself down to his breakfast, which was on the table, without
a word, except to ask Phillida if she wouldn't have breakfast, too,
which invitation was declined.

Miss Bowyer nodded to Phillida, saying, "Your case?"

"No," said Phillida; "I have no case. This is a case of diphtheria."

"Case of belief in diphtheria?" queried Miss Bowyer, and without waiting
for an invitation she calmly poured out a cup of coffee and drank it,
standing. When she had finished the coffee and was ready for business,
Phillida said:

"Miss Bowyer, let me speak with you a moment." She drew the psychopathic
healer over toward a large old-fashioned bureau that the Martins had
brought from the country and that seemed not to have room enough for its
ancient and simple dignity in its present close quarters. "Miss Bowyer,
this is diphtheria. A child in the next house died last week of the same
disease. Mrs. Martin wishes to call a doctor, a regular doctor. Don't
you think you ought to give way to her wish?"

"Not at all. The father is enlightened, and I am thankful for that. He
knows the mighty power of Christian Science, and he does not wish to
have his child treated on the mortal plane. Parents often differ t