se of
Tommy's danger and the necessity she was under of suppressing her
feelings while this woman, crank or impostor, held possession of the
child and of her house. Not to disturb Tommy, she affected a peaceful
attitude toward the professor of Christian sorcery, whom, in the anguish
of her spirit, she would have liked to project out of a window into the
dizzy space occupied by pulleys and clothes-lines. Footsteps came and
went past her door, but there was as yet no interruption to Miss
Bowyer's pow-wow. At length there came a step on the stairs, and a rap.
Mrs. Martin laid Tommy on the bed and opened the door. Charley beckoned
her to be silent and to come out.

"What is the name of the faith-healer, Aunt Hannah?" he whispered.

"Miss Bowyer."

"Does she still refuse to leave?"

"Oh, yes! She declares she will not leave."

"You want her out?"

"Yes; I want a doctor," said Mrs. Martin, giving her hands a little
wring.

"Tell Miss Bowyer that there is a gentleman outside the door who wishes
to see her. Whenever the door is shut, do you fasten it inside."

"Miss Bowyer, there's a gentleman inquiring for you outside," said Mrs.
Martin when she returned.

Miss Bowyer opened the door suspiciously, standing in the doorway as she
spoke.

"Did you wish to see me?"

"Are you Miss Bowyer?"

"Yes,"--with a wave inflection, as though half inquiring.

"Are you the Christian Scientist?"

"Yes," said Miss Bowyer, "I am."

"This is a case of diphtheria, isn't it?"

"It's a case of belief in diphtheria. I have no doubt I shall be able to
reduce the morbid action soon. The child is already in the state of
interior perception," she said, seeing in Millard a possible patient,
and coming a little further out of the door.

"It's catching, I believe," said Millard. "Would you mind closing the
door a moment while I speak with you?"

Miss Bowyer peered into the room to see Mrs. Martin giving Tommy a
drink. Feeling secure, she softly closed the door, keeping hold of the
handle. Then she turned to Millard.

"Did you wish to see me professionally?" she asked.

"Well," said Millard, "I think you might call it professionally. I live
over on the west side. Do you know where the Graydon apartment building
is?"

"Yes, oh, yes; I attended a patient near there once, in one of the
brownstone houses on the other side of the street. He got well
beautifully."

"Well, I live in the Graydon," said Millard.

"Yes," said Miss Bowye