Part 52 (1/2)

They were standing together near the door. Edwin had his fingers on the handle. He wondered how he would prevent his father from going to business, if his father should decide to go.

”But I don't think he'll be very keen on business,” the doctor added.

”You don't?”

Mr Heve slowly shook his head. One of Mr Heve's qualities that slightly annoyed Edwin was his extraordinary discretion. But then Edwin had always regarded the discreetness of doctors as exaggerated. Why could not Heve tell him at once fully and candidly what was in his mind?

He had surely the right to be told! ... Curious! And yet far more curious than Mr Heve's unwillingness to tell, was Edwin's unwillingness to ask. He could not bring himself to demand bluntly of Heve: ”Well, what's the matter with him?”

”I suppose it's shock,” Edwin adventured.

Mr Heve lifted his chin. ”Shock may have had a little to do with it,”

he answered doubtfully.

”And how long must he be kept off business?”

”I'm afraid there's not much chance of him doing any more business,”

said Mr Heve.

”Really!” Edwin murmured. ”Are you sure?”

”Quite.”

Edwin did not feel the full impact of this prophecy at the moment.

Indeed, it appeared to him that he had known since the previous midnight of his father's sudden doom; it appeared to him that the first glimpse of his father after the funeral had informed him of it positively. What impressed him at the moment was the unusual dignity which characterised Mr Heve's embarra.s.sment. He was beginning to respect Mr Heve.

”I wouldn't care to give him more than two years,” said Mr Heve, gazing at the carpet, and then lifting his eyes to Edwin's.

Edwin flushed. And this time his 'Really!' was startled.

”Of course you may care to get other advice,” the doctor went on. ”I shall be delighted to meet a specialist. But I tell you at once my opinion.” This with a gesture of candour.

”Oh!” said Edwin. ”If you're sure--”

Strange that the doctor would not give a name to the disease! Most strange that Edwin even now could not demand the name.

”I suppose he's in his right mind?” said Edwin.

”Yes,” said the doctor. ”He's in his right mind.” But he gave the reply in a tone so peculiar that the affirmative was almost as disconcerting as a negative would have been.

”Just rest he wants?” said Edwin.

”Just rest. And looking after. I'll send up some medicine. He'll like it.” Mr Heve glanced absently at his watch. ”I must be going.”

”Well--” Edwin opened the door.

Then with a sudden movement Mr Heve put out his hand.

”You'll come in again soon?”