KATHERINE MAKES A DEMONSTRATION.
From that time on Katherine became conscious of a very different
atmosphere, at least when among her own classmates, for, instead
of the cold shoulder, averted glances and a general stampede
whenever she appeared, she was now cordially received and greeted
upon all occasions.
This was more apparent after Miss Follet's "spread," two weeks
later, and which really proved to be the "finest of the season,"
being a "full-dress affair," when all barriers were swept away
during the "jollification" and every vestige of disaffection
vanished in company with the bountiful and dainty viands that were
literally fit "to set before a king."
Katherine, being the guest of honor, was toasted and made much of,
and her companions found that she could appreciate a frolic as
heartily as anyone, and was not behind, either, in making fun for
others.
One evening, early in May, shortly after "the spread," Katherine
was diligently studying the morrow's lessons when a rap sounded on
her door, and, upon giving the usual password, Jennie Wild put her
curly head inside the room and observed:
"Miss Minturn, Miss Reynolds has sent me to ask if you will come
to her room as soon as the study hour is over."
"Yes, Jennie, I will go to her the moment the bell rings," replied
Katherine, who knew that her teacher had not been well for nearly
a week, and, for the last two days, had been unable to attend to
her duties.
"And, Miss Minturn," continued the girl, lingering.
"Well?" said her friend, inquiringly.
"May I go with you to your service, next Sunday?"
"Why, Jennie! What has possessed you to ask me that?"
"Oh, I thought I'd just like to know what kind of a rigmarole--Oh,
Peter Piper! what have I said?" the heedless girl interposed as
Katherine flushed and looked up suddenly. "I really didn't mean
that--I--er--it just slipped out before I had time to think. But,
truly, I would like to go with you."
"But you know it is against the rules for students to leave their
own church. You would have to get permission of Prof. Seabrook,"
Katherine returned.
"I don't want to ask him," said Jennie, with a shrug, adding: "He
need never know."
"No, Jennie, I cannot countenance any such disobedience," gravely
replied her companion. "And if it is only a matter of idle
curiosity on your part, I think you had better wait until you are
actuated by a more worthy motive."
Jennie looked really distressed under this reproof.
"I'm afraid I've offended you," she began, plaintively. "I didn't
mean to speak slightingly of your church, and I'm--sorry--"
"Don't be troubled, Jennie, dear; I am not offended," said
Katherine, smiling reassuringly. "Of course, you understand that,
to me, our service is very beautiful and sacred. I would dearly
love to have you go with me in a proper way; but if you do not
like to ask permission you can wait until vacation, when you will
not be hampered by school rules."
"All right; perhaps--I will," returned Jennie, with a sly smile;
then, with a friendly "good-night," she went away, and Katherine
thought no more of the matter at that time.
Half an hour later the nine o'clock bell rang and she repaired at
once to Miss Reynolds' room. She found her teacher in bed, looking
flushed and feverish, her throat badly swollen and swathed in
flannels, while she was scarcely able to speak aloud.
She smiled a welcome and held out her hand to the girl, who
clasped it fondly as she sat down beside her.
"I suppose you would say 'it is nothing,'" whispered the woman, a
little gleam of laughter in her eyes, notwithstanding her evident
suffering.
"No, I should say nothing of the kind to you," said Katherine,
gravely. "But I hoped that I should find you better."
"No, Kathie"--a fond way she had adopted of late when addressing
her--"I have been growing steadily worse since last night. This
afternoon I have been very ill, and Prof. Seabrook sent me word by
his wife, to-night, that if I am not better by morning he will
call a physician upon his own responsibility. I don't want a
doctor," she went on, after resting a moment, "for, since having
those talks with you and learning something of your faith, I find
myself shrinking from medical treatment."
Katherine glanced involuntarily at the array of bottles on the
table near her, and Miss Reynolds, observing it, smiled.
"True," she said, "I have been dosing myself with every remedy
that I could think of, while 'halting between two opinions'; but
nothing does any good, and I have come to the end of my rope, so
to speak. That is why I have sent for you, Kathie--to ask you to
treat me your way."
Katherine flushed, and for an instant a sense of fear held her in
its grip. With it also came the query, "What would Prof. Seabrook
think of having Christian Science healing deliberately practiced
in Hilton Seminary?"
Then she mentally declared: "There is no fear in love," and "where
duty pointed the way she would boldly walk therein."
"Are you afraid to take hold of it?" her teacher inquired, as she
observed her hesitation.
"No, I am not afraid, for I know that God is supreme and never
fails those who put their trust in Him," was the confident
response. "But," Katherine continued, "are you sure you really
want Christian Science treatment?"
"Very sure, Kathie."
"How about these?" and the girl glanced at the bottles, "and
this?" touching the flannel about her throat.
"Oh, I know they are of no use," said the sick woman, with an
impatient sigh. "You may put the medicines all away, and I will
take off the flannel. I am determined not to have a doctor and be
laid up for three long weeks, if I can help it."
"Very well; then I will do my utmost for you," said our young
Scientist, in a resolute tone. "I shall stay here with you to-
night; but, first, I must go to tell Sadie and get my wrapper."
"Ah! that is kind; you can sleep on the couch, and, really, dear,
I do feel too sick to be left alone," was the weary reply.
Without further ado Katherine sped back to her room--working
mentally for her friend as she went--told Sadie her plan, and
donned a loose wrapper; then, taking her Bible and "Science and
Health," she hastened back to her patient.
During her absence Miss Reynolds had removed the voluminous folds
from her neck, and now looked relieved as Katherine reappeared,
prepared to care for her during the night.
Katherine noiselessly removed the various bottles, tumblers, etc.,
from the table, laying her books in their place, and was on the
point of sitting down to begin her work when there came a rap on
the door.
Upon answering it she found Mrs. Seabrook standing without, a bowl
of steaming gruel in her hands.
"Oh, you are going to stay with Miss Reynolds tonight!" she
exclaimed, her face lighting as she saw the girl in her wrapper.
"I am very glad--I had intended doing so myself, for I know she
should not be left alone; but Dorothy has just had a bad turn and
I cannot leave her. How is she now?" she concluded, glancing
towards the bed.
"About the same as she has been all day."
Mrs. Seabrook sighed anxiously.
"I wish she would have a doctor," she said. "We shall insist upon
it if she is not better in the morning. I have made her some
gruel--do make her take at least a part of it, for she has had no
nourishment to-day."
"Thank you, I will try; and do not worry, dear Mrs. Seabrook. I
will take the very best of care of her, I promise you," said
Katherine, cheerily.
"I know you will, you dear child; and you have removed a load from
my heart already," returned the care-laden woman, tears springing
to her eyes. Then she bade her good-night and left her, whereupon
Katherine locked the door, and, slipping quietly into a chair,
began working vigorously for her friend.
For more than an hour there seemed to be no change in her
patient's condition. Indeed, if anything, the symptoms appeared to
be aggravated; she tossed restlessly, the fever apparently
increasing, while she called for water every few moments, but
refused the gruel, saying she could not swallow it.
Eleven o'clock came--half-past; then the long tolling of the tower
clock proclaimed midnight ere Katherine was able to detect the
slightest sign of improvement. Then, as she responded to another
call for water, she found that the fever had abated and there was
a slight moisture in the palm of the hand, which she clasped for
an instant.
Another half hour spent in alternate reading and work brought
quiet, restful sleep. But the faithful sentinel on guard labored
on, now reading from her precious book, then seeking help from the
only source whence cometh all help and comfort, and never doubting
that the answer to her prayer would eventually come.
At two o'clock Miss Reynolds aroused and again called for water;
then, after drinking thirstily, dropped restfully back upon her
pillows.
At three she awoke once more and asked for the gruel.
"Kathie, I am better--the fever is gone, and my throat is not so
sore!" she said, smiling faintly into the earnest face looking
down upon her.
"That is certainly good news," Katherine returned, as she received
the bowl half-emptied of its contents. "Now go to sleep again, and
I will lie down upon the couch."
She lay awake, working, however, until the regular breathing from
the bed told her that her patient was wrapped in slumber; when,
assured that her toiling and rowing were over for the present, and
God at the helm, she, too, dropped off, and knew no more until
aroused by the rising bell at half-past six.
She started up, but her companion slept on, and, disliking to
disturb her, she lay back and worked silently until the next bell,
at seven-thirty, called to the morning meal.
Miss Reynolds heard it also, turned over and looked at her
companion, then sat up and involuntarily put her hands to her
throat.
An expression of astonishment swept over her face.
"Katherine! why, Katherine!" she exclaimed; "where is it?"
"Where is what?" inquired the girl, going to her side.
"The swelling!"
"There is none," said Katherine, with a happy smile as she glanced
at the white, shapely neck to find it in its normal condition.
"Neither is there any soreness in my throat! Child, I do not know
what to think of it!" said the woman, with a note of awe in her
tone.
"Think that God was a very present help in time of need," returned
Katherine, with sweet seriousness and a slight tremble in her own
voice.
Miss Reynolds fell back upon her pillow, a thoughtful look on her
face. But, presently, glancing at the clock, she said:
"Dear child, you must go for your breakfast, or you will be too
late."
"I will; but what shall I bring you afterwards?"
"What may I have?"
"Anything you like."
"Truly?"
"Certainly; don't you remember what we were talking of last week--
man's God-given dominion over all things?"
"Well, it surpasses my comprehension, for I have always had to be
careful what I ate after one of these attacks! But I am in your
hands, Kathie--you may bring me what you choose, and I believe I
am hungry," Miss Reynolds returned, in a tone of conviction.
"You shall have something very soon," Katherine assured her, and,
having dressed her hair while talking, she now flew away to her
own room to complete her toilet, a paean of praise thrilling her
heart for the recent safe and triumphant passage through the Red
Sea of human fear and error, whose waves had so threatened to
engulf her patient the night before.
Breakfast was nearly over when she reached the dining room; but
she slid quietly into her place and made a hurried meal, after
which she sought the matron and gave her order for Miss Reynolds,
saying she would wait and take the tray up to her.
While she was waiting, Mrs. Seabrook espied her and came to
inquire for her patient.
"She is more comfortable this morning," Katherine replied, and,
thinking it wise not to say very much regarding the conditions
upstairs.
Mrs. Seabrook appeared greatly relieved.
"I am thankful," she said. "I was very anxious about her last
night, for I have never seen her so ill before. Poor Dorrie is not
as well, either, this morning," she concluded, with a weary sigh.
A wave of compassion swept over Katherine's heart for this sweet,
patient woman, who was so heavily burdened with her own cares, yet
ever ready to do for others.
"Give my love to Dorrie," she said, adding: "And I will run in to
see her this afternoon, if I may."
"Do, Miss Minturn," said her companion, eagerly. "You always do
the child good, and she will have something pleasant to look
forward to during the day."
Miss Reynolds enjoyed her breakfast, which she ate with perfect
ease. Then she said she would like to be left alone to rest until
noon, when Katherine might bring her a light dinner--"provided her
breakfast did not hurt her."
Katherine pinned upon her door a slip of paper on which was
written "not to be disturbed"; then went away to her own duties,
which would be over at noon, it being Saturday and a half holiday.
After eating her own dinner, she arranged a generous and tempting
meal on a tray and took it to her teacher's room.
She found her up and dressed in her wrapper and seated in a
comfortable rocker, reading "Science and Health," which she had
left lying on the table.
Miss Reynolds looked up and nodded brightly as she laid down the
book.
"Isn't this perfectly lovely? Aren't you astonished to find me
up?" she inquired, as she bestowed a fond pat upon the girl who
had drawn a small table to her side and was arranging her dinner
upon it.
"Not in the least," said Katherine, bending to kiss the cheek
nearest her.
"Aren't you? not the least bit? Why! I am simply amazed at
myself!" her teacher exclaimed.
Katherine laughed out merrily.
"I suppose you have heard of the woman who, on being told that
'the prayer of faith would remove mountains,' prayed that God
would take away the hill behind her house?" she queried, archly.
"Yes, and on looking out in the morning, said: 'It's just as I
expected; I knew it would be here just the same!' I know the
story, and I see your point on lack of faith," said Miss Reynolds,
echoing the girl's laugh.
"But that is not the way Christian Scientists pray," Katherine
observed. "Jesus said, 'All things whatsoever ye ask in prayer,
believing, ye shall receive.' You are not quite like the woman who
prayed for what she was sure she would not get; but you are
'amazed' because you have received that for which we asked; which
shows that you did not really expect it."
"But I must have had some faith, Kathie, or I would not have
trusted myself to your treatment."
"True; and that was your first step in Christian Science, which
brought with it the proof of God's supremacy." "It certainly is a
beautiful proof," Miss Reynolds earnestly returned, "for I have
been subject to these attacks for many years, and have always been
under the care of a physician from three to five weeks before
getting back to my normal condition."
She went on with her dinner, but it was evident that she was
thinking deeply, while Katherine moved softly about the room
putting things in order.
"Katherine," the woman at length inquired, "what is this
'treatment' which you give the sick? Is it simply prayer?"
"Yes, and the understanding that God is all in all."
"Well, I would like to know the secret of it. I have been a
prayerful woman during the greater portion of my life--at least,
according to the common acceptation of the term; but I have never
before known of a direct answer to prayer such has come to you or
to me, through you. What constitutes a Christian Scientist's
prayer and understanding?"
"That question involves a great deal," said Katherine, smiling.
"Briefly, it is reaching out for and appropriating that which is
already ours."
"'Appropriating?'"
"Yes, knowing that all good belongs by right to us, as God's dear
children; and acting as if we knew it, by gratefully accepting
it," Katherine explained. Then observing the puzzled look on her
teacher's face, she went on:
"Let me illustrate. You asked for your dinner. I have brought it
and set it before you. All you have to do is to reach out and
partake of it to satisfy your hunger. How inconsistent it would be
if you should ignore these facts and keep on saying, 'Katherine, I
want my dinner; please, oh, please give me some food, for I am
starving.'"
"How ridiculous that sounds!" said Miss Reynolds, laughing. "I
begin to comprehend what you mean and that the old way of praying
is only a halfway prayer, while begging and supplicating God to
keep His promises impugns His righteousness."
"Exactly," Katherine assented, then added: "Prayer is really
twofold--asking and taking, praying and doing; knowing that God's
promises mean what they say, and confidently expecting their
fulfillment."
"Do you always have this confidence when you have difficulties to
meet, Kathie? I should think it would not always be easy to
'know,'" thoughtfully observed Miss Reynolds.
"No, it is not always easy to have perfect trust; in that case
every demonstration, or answer to prayer, would be instantaneous.
One needs to be patient and persistent, the same as one needs to
go over a difficult mathematical problem many times before getting
a correct answer, but never doubting that it will follow right
effort," Katherine explained. "Of course, there is a great deal
more that might be said about the subject," she added, "and if you
will read the chapter on 'Prayer' in our text-book you will get a
far better idea of it than I have given you."
"I will read it this afternoon if you are not going to use your
book," Miss Reynolds replied.
"I have another copy, and you may keep this one for a while," and
Katherine flushed with pleasure at the woman's manifest interest
in her beloved Science.
"Thank you; and now"--glancing archly at the almost empty dishes
before her--"don't you think I have done ample justice to the
generous repast you brought me? I only hope it won't bring on the
fever again."
"Oh, faithless and perverse generation!" quoted Katherine, with
smiling reproof. "It will not," she added, positively; "remember
your 'God-given dominion.'"
"I will try, dear; I am very grateful to you, Kathie, and to God,
for the wonderful transformation of the last few hours," said Miss
Reynolds, with starting tears. "If it were not for this feeling of
weakness I believe I could dress and go down to supper to-night."
At that instant there came a tap on the door, and on going to
answer it Katherine found Mrs. Seabrook and Miss Williams, another
teacher, without.
Both ladies exclaimed in astonishment upon seeing the supposed
invalid up and dressed, while Mrs. Seabrook viewed with grave
disapproval the tray before her, with its remnants of a hearty
dinner.
"My dear! are you crazy that you dare eat meat, potatoes and
vegetables--yes, and pie!--with such a fever?" she cried, aghast.
"I have no fever," said Miss Reynolds, giving her a cool, normal
hand. "I am very much better, and I was hungry, so asked Miss
Minturn to bring me something nice to eat."
"All the same, you are very injudicious," was the severe
rejoinder. But the transgressor only smiled serenely and began to
talk of other things, while Katherine removed the offensive tray,
taking it below, after which she sought her own room.