He greeted my family with the usual kindness and listened carefully to their description of the other night. He asked a few questions and received long streams of speculation for his troubles. I couldn’t look at him but I could feel his scrutiny.
Somehow, he managed to quiet their fears and wished them to go on with their day as he talked with me. In most households leaving us together would be improper but he has their trust and we take full advantage of it.
After he closed the door to the sitting room he came straight to me and knelt at me feet. The worry in his eyes nearly made me cry. I knew right away something was wrong. I also knew that this was my opportunity. I wouldn’t have to tell him anything about the other night if I could focus him on whatever was on his mind. It wasn’t hard.
“I have to leave,” he told me. “The way they are treating the soldiers is inhumane. Remember Dr. Jacob Da Costa? I’ve told you about him. He is studying a new condition. It’s what he calls an ‘irritable heart.’I'm going to help him by doing field observations. The stories we receive don't give us enough information. Also, I think I can do real good out there.”
He went on to describe some of the cases they were studying. The young soldiers returning from war are not acting right. They are fatigued. They suffer form shortness of breath and irregular heart beats even thought their wounds are fully healed.
He wants me to understand everything so I know just how important his work is. I don't want to understand!
I don't want him to go…not to war…not now.
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on Sunday, November 01, 2009
at Sunday, November 01, 2009
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The diary of Elizabeth Whetherby - A gothic mystery.
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