"About rabies," said Angela.
"Well?" said I patiently.
"Well, about Mélisande," said Angela.
"What about Mélisande?" I replied.
"Oh, you know quite well what about Mélisande," said Angela; "about
her and Peggy playing so much together. Is it quite wise, do you
think? I've been bothering about it for some days now; cats are such
queer things and a cat with rabies would be so dreadfully dangerous."
"There I quite agree with you," I answered meditatively. "Though I
have rather excepted Mélisande from the general rule I have always
considered a cat an exceedingly dangerous animal, and a cat with
rabies is, of course, ten times worse; it simply oughtn't to be
allowed."
"I felt sure you would agree with me," said Angela.
Mélisande is a staid creature of placid demeanour and generous
proportions. It had never occurred to me hitherto to associate her
with rabies, and I still felt that she herself would scoff at the
idea.
We were gathered round the fire, my wife, my daughter and I; Angela
seated on what is known, I believe, in upholstering circles as a
humpty, while Peggy lay on her tummy on the floor, pencil in hand
and a sheet of paper before her; she was chewing the pencil with the
ruminating air of one who awaits inspiration. I myself occupied the
armchair.
"You know," said Angela presently, "I think Mélisande has seemed
worried about something the last few days. I do hope the poor dear
isn't bothering about rabies. One so often hears of people actually
producing a disease merely by thinking a lot about it. By the way, I'm
told that one of the earliest manifestations of rabies is a desire to
bite inanimate objects; if we see her doing that we shall know that
the time has come to act."
At this juncture Mélisande entered the room through the open window.
Her manner exhibited a curious blend of dignity and caution; I could
more readily have suspected my own mother of having rabies. She
advanced slowly towards us till suddenly her eye lighted on Peggy, who
still chewed her pencil awaiting inspiration.
Mélisande stopped as though she had been shot; I could only surmise
that the sight of Peggy thus occupied had confirmed her darkest
suspicions. With one wild shriek of terror she fled from the room.
* * * * *