The Great Plains Read Online Free PDF Page B

back into society, did you not?’ The doctor plucked at the cloth of his trousers.
    â€˜Indeed,’ Aloysius agreed irritably. Answering a question with a question was not a form of dialogue he enjoyed.
    â€˜If I may, Mr Wade, the first concern is how you view this rather delicate situation.’
    â€˜What do you mean?’
    â€˜Mrs Samuels is worried about Philomena’s mental state, not to mention her daughter. Secondly, objections have been raised as to the issue of cleanliness. It appears mother and child are infested with lice.’
    â€˜So have them deloused, my good man. They have been living on a reservation.’
    â€˜Mr Wade, Mrs Samuels is most sorely aggrieved at having not been informed in advance that your “guests” are in fact Indians.’
    Aloysius slapped his hand on the desk. ‘My niece is most certainly not an Indian.’
    â€˜She arrived dressed as an Indian and is still so attired.’ The doctor leant forward in his chair. ‘I understand how difficult this is for you.’
    â€˜Do you?’ Aloysius’s voice dropped. ‘When can I see my niece?’
    The doctor sighed. ‘They must be moved. Mrs Samuels refuses to house them. May I suggest the asylum. As you know I am a consultant there and –’
    â€˜They are not delinquents!’ Aloysius replied furiously.
    â€˜Unfortunately that depends on your definition of the word. You can’t install them here, Mr Wade, not in their present condition. As it was they had to be locked in their room at the boarding house so they wouldn’t escape.’
    The thought of Philomena trying to run away after the years he had hoped for her return stunned Aloysius. He stalked the length of the study. In business he prided himself on his ability to negotiate and control, to manipulate events to his advantage. Now he was stymied by the fates, unsure of his next move.
    â€˜A difficult situation, Mr Wade.’
    â€˜This is new to me,’ Aloysius mumbled. ‘Uncertain outcomes are new to me. Very well,’ he reluctantly agreed. ‘Promise me that they will be kept well away from the mentally unstable and I want them in a private room with all necessary comforts.’
    â€˜I have such an area with a private sitting room.’
    Aloysius rubbed his hands together. ‘Good. Now that you have spent some time with my niece, do give me the benefit of your expertise.’ Aloysius rested his elbow on the mantelpiece and accidently pushed a brass sconce against the gilt frame of the landscape hanging above. The knock of metal against timber went unnoticed. ‘I have had my fill of supposed experts. Crane and Holt, for example, cost me a pretty penny when they went to the reservation, and they returned with the most disparaging of reports. I am expecting a true and honest account from you, Harry, if I may call you Harry.’
    â€˜Of course, Mr Wade. However, I must warn you that my findings will not gladden you.’
    Aloysius waved a hand, signalling the doctor to speak.
    â€˜Your niece’s prospects are limited. She is a white woman in appearance only and I believe that she is far too damaged by the many years spent in captivity to ever be capable of resuming her place in society. I have prescribed bromide to calm her distressed state.’
    Aloysius felt the study walls shrinking around him. The air seemed denser, difficult to breathe.
    â€˜I am sorry to be the bearer of such distressing news.’
    He remembered his niece as a cherubic baby. Cradled in her mother’s arms, they appeared like Madonna and child. ‘And Philomena’s daughter?’
    The doctor gave a singular shake of his head. ‘She appears to be lacking in mental capacity. Although both she and the unborn child appear well enough, if a little malnourished, as is your niece.’
    Although tempted to punch his fist into something hard, Aloysius considered the diagnosis. ‘Is it