ble is mental as well as physical. Because of the
nature of his ailment, he has withdrawn, pulled himself away from
communication with others. If these symptoms had been brought to my
attention earlier, the mental disturbance might have been more easily
analyzed and treated."

"I suppose so. I'm sorry, Doctor," said Mrs. Stanton. Her manner
betrayed weariness and pain. "It was so ... so difficult. Martin could
never talk very well, you know, and he just talked less and less as the
years went by. It was so slow and so gradual that I never really noticed
it."

_Poor woman_, the doctor thought. _She's not well, herself. She should
have married again, years ago, rather than force herself to carry the
whole burden alone. Her role as a doting mother hasn't helped either of
the boys to overcome the handicaps that were already present._

"I've honestly tried to do my very best with Martin," Mrs. Stanton went
on unhappily. "And so has Bart, I know. When they were younger, Bart
used to take him out all the time. They went everywhere together. Of
course, I don't expect Bart to do that so much any more. He has his own
life to live. He can't take Martin out on dates or things like that. He
has interests outside the home now, like other boys his age. That's only
normal. But when he's at home, Bart helps me with Martin all the time."

"I understand," said the psychiatrist. _This is no time to tell her that
Bartholomew's tests indicate that he has subconsciously resented
Martin's presence for a long time_, he thought. _She has enough to worry
about._

"_I_ don't understand," said Mrs. Stanton, breaking into sudden tears.
"I just don't understand why Martin should behave this way! Why should
he just sit there with his eyes closed and ignore everybody? Why should
he ignore his mother and his brother? Why?"

The doctor comforted her in a warmly professional manner, then, as her
tears subsided, he said, "We don't understand all the factors ourselves,
Mrs. Stanton. At first glance, Martin's reactions appear to be those one
would expect of schizophrenic withdrawal. But there are certain aspects
of the case that make it unusual. His behavior doesn't quite follow the
pattern we usually expect from such cases as this. His extreme physical
disability has drastically modified the course of his mental
development, and, at the same time, made it difficult for us to make any
analysis of his mental state." _If only_, he added to himself, _she h