For it was an hour when the soul was stripped bare that the
doctor looked in upon it. Men were various things to various people, but
to the doctor they came very close to being themselves. Too much was at
stake to dissemble here. When phantoms of fear and death took shape in
the shadows one sought the doctor--and told the truth.
She had a fancy which moved her then. She saw the men like Dr. Parkman
fighting darkness down in the valley, while from the mountain peak
adjacent men like Karl turned on, as with mighty search-lights, more, and
ever more, of the light. And what were the search-lights for if not to be
turned down into the valley?
"What time did you go to bed last night?" he demanded, after they had
shaken hands in the inner office.
"Why--did you see the light?" she faltered;--she had made a promise
against late hours.
"The light--no; but I see your face now, and that's enough. Was it
two--or worse?"
"Just a mere trifle worse. And truly, doctor--I didn't mean to. But don't
you know it's hard to stop when you feel just right for a thing? Why, one
can't always do things at the proper time," she expostulated.
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