Page:The Specimen Case.djvu/143

134 "Hankins listened to what Lukie had to say and then tried most of his machines on her. Finally he strapped a round looking-glass on to his forehead, stood her by the window, and shot the sunlight into her throat.

I don't see any growth so far,' he said, when he had done all that he could with that, 'but as you think that there is something, there most likely is, because there can’t be an effect without a cause, and it is contrary to nature to think of anything that doesn’t exist. Fortunately I have with me a means of testing even further.' With that he got out a little electric light, no bigger than a plum-stone hardly, that was worked by a pocket battery. 'Now,' he said, 'I am going to press your tongue down with a spoon-handle, throw the light well into the pharynx, and then we shall see as far as there is anything to be seen.'

"Lukie thought half a minute and then made a move towards the door.

I should not think of allowing it,' she said.

"That took back the horse-doctor considerably. 'It won't hurt you the least bit,' he said.

I am not afraid of that. And I daresay that the town ladies you are accustomed to, do not mind being seen in the way you speak of, but in the country we are more particular. Good-afternoon.'

Hold hard a minute,' said Hankins, who was well-meaning enough; 'perhaps I didn't pick my words quite as I might. Haven't you any discreet lady friend whom you could have here with you?"

There's my sister Jane waiting out in the pig-market. She's older than me and sees mostly to the shop, but I couldn't say whether she's discreet or not,' replied Lukie.

Jane will do A1,' said Hankins. 'Call her up.'

"They got Jane up and Lukie allowed him to get to