'Exactly.'
'Those knobs you see on the wall have various uses.'
'Quite.'
They examined the knobs with an air of profound seriousness, Mrs.
Porter erect and complacent, the other leaning forward and peering
through her spectacles. Mamie took advantage of their backs and turned
to cast a hurried glance at the water-proof curtain. It was certainly
an admirable screen; no sign of Steve was visible; but nevertheless she
did not cease to quake.
'This,' said Mrs. Porter, 'controls the heat. This, this, and this are
for the ventilation.'
'Just so, just so, just so,' said the doctor. 'And this, of course, is
for the shower-bath? I understand!'
And, extending a firm finger, she gave the knob a forceful push.
Mrs. Porter nodded.
'That is the cold shower,' she said. 'This is the hot. It is a very
ingenious arrangement, one of Malcolmson's patents. There is a
regulator at the side of the bath which enables the nurse to get just
the correct temperature. I will turn on both, and then......'
It was as Mrs. Porter's hand was extended toward the knob that the
paralysis which terror had put upon Mamie relaxed its grip. She had
stood by without a movement while the cold water splashed down upon the
hidden Steve. Her heart had ached for him, but she had not stirred. But
now, with the prospect of allowing him to be boiled alive before her,
she acted.
It is generally only on the stage that a little child comes to the
rescue of adults at critical moments; but William Bannister was
accorded the opportunity of doing so off it. It happened that at the
moment of Mrs. Porter's entry Mamie had been standing near his cot, and
she had not moved since. The consequence was that she was within easy
reach of him; and, despair giving her what in the circumstances
amounted to a flash of inspiration, she leaned quickly forward, even as
Mrs. Porter's finger touched the knob, and gave the round head on the
pillow a rapid push.
William Bannister sat up with a grunt, rubbed his eyes, and, seeing
strangers, began to cry.
It was so obvious to Mrs. Porter and her companion, both from the
evidence of their guilty consciences and the look of respectful
reproach on Mamie's face, that the sound of their voices had disturbed
the child, that they were routed from the start.
'Oh, dear me! He is awake,' said the lady doctor.
'I am afraid we did not lower our voices,' added Mrs. Porter. 'And yet
William is usually such a sound sleeper. Perhaps we had better......'
'Just so,' said the doctor.
'......go downstairs while the nurse gets him off to sleep again.'
'Quite.'
The door closed behind them.
* * * * *
'Oh, Steve!' said Mamie.
