Dr. Porter's patients, and it is
a breach of etiquette upon my part to hold any communication with you
except through him."

"It was he who sent us here," said she.

"Oh, that alters the matter entirely."

"He said he could do nothing to help us, and that perhaps you could."

"Pray let me know what you wish done."

She set out valorously to explain; but the effort of putting her
troubles into words seemed to bring them more home to her, and she
suddenly blurred over and became inarticulate. Her daughter bent towards
her, and kissed her with the prettiest little spasm of love and pity.

"I will tell you about it, doctor," said she. "Poor mother is almost
worn out. Fred--my brother, that is to say, is worse. He has become
noisy, and will not be quiet."

"And my brother, the general," continued Mrs. La Force, "naturally did
not expect this when he kindly offered us a home, and, being a nervous
man, it is very trying to him. In fact, it cannot go on. He says so
himself."

"But what is mother to do?" cried the girl, taking up the tale again.
"No hotel or lodging-house would take us in while poor Fred is like
that. And we have not the heart to send him to an asylum. Uncle will not
have us any longer, and we have nowhere to go to." Her grey eyes tried
to look brave, but her mouth would go down at the corners.

I rose and walked up and down the room, trying to think it all out.

"What I wanted to ask you," said Mrs. La Force, "was whether perhaps
you knew some doctor or some private establishment which took in such
cases--so that we could see Fred every day or so. The only thing is that
he must be taken at once, for really my brother has reached the end of
his patience."

I rang the bell for my housekeeper.

"Miss Williams," said I, "do you think we can furnish a bedroom by
to-night, so as to take in a gentleman who is ill?"

Never have I so admired that wonderful woman's self-command.

"Why, easily, sir, if the patients will only let me alone. But with that
bell going thirty times an hour, it's hard to say what you are going to
do."

This with her funny manner set the ladies laughing, and the whole
business seemed lighter and easier. I promised to have the room ready
by eight o'clock. Mrs. La Force arranged to bring her son round at that
hour, and both ladies thanked me a very great deal more than I deserved;
for after all it was a business matter, and a resident patient was the
very thing that I needed. I w