"Is the Maister at home?" asked he, fervently wishing he might be miles away.
Yes, Mr. Blane was in, and Marks followed the boy sorrowfully.
"Good morning, Mr. Marks. Come for some medicine? Where's the bottle?"
"No, thank'ee, Sir," said Matthew, twirling his hat about uncomfortably. "My wife's took worse, and wants to know if so be ye'd make it convenient to come and physic her?"
Yes; Mr. Blane could go at once, having no other call upon his time just at present.
"And what's the matter with Mrs. Marks?" asked he, when they were fairly on their way.
"That's more nor I can tell, Sir. She's all over like a live coal, and 'ud drink a bucket full if ye'd give it her."
This was a poser. Matthew scratched his head, took off his cap; he was in no way prepared for such a question. What should he say?
"Well," said he presently, in a conciliating tone, "Well, you see, Sir, when folks is ill they takes queer fancies sometimes, as I dare say yer know better nor I can tell'ee. Now my wife's got hers, and no mistake; she says you've gived her pisin."
It was Mr. Blane's turn now to be astonished, this being an answer he was not prepared for. "Poison!" he echoed.
"Yes, just pisin, and nothing else; but there, Sir, there's no call to be frightened, her head's that dizzy she can't scarce open her eyes, much less know what she says."
"Not that I knows on, Sir, t'aint possible now: her legs is so cramped she's 'bliged to bide in doors."
"Poor thing! She seems patient enough under it all."
"Lord bless yer, Sir! Patient? Why she lets fly more nor any 'ooman I know on; I can't say but what she do look meek enough when yer'e at the 'pike, but as soon as she's the least way riled she'll find more words at her tongue's end than any other 'ooman in the parish. It's my belief that's all that's the matter with her now; she've bin rating the whole on us roundly one after t'other and has just worked herself into a biling rage, for nothing at all."
"If that is all; the mischief is soon healed," said Mr. Blane, entering the cottage.
Mrs. Marks sat just where her husband had left her, but her eyes were closed and her face strangely flushed. She looked up wearily and languidly, with not a trace of the temper her husband had spoken of, and said not a word as the doctor took her burning hand in his and felt its quick pulse.