William felt relieved when the boys had started upon their pleasure
trip, and he was left alone with Alice and Mrs. Millard. The Millards
seemed very near to him, and he felt almost as much solicitude for them
as for his own family. Alice was glad to be of service to him, and this
cheerfulness upon her part was, perhaps, one of the strongest factors in
her ability to do good work for him.
Merle was equally desirous of pleasing him, passing willingly at any and
all times into the trance state. William had never felt as much pride in
his work or the results accruing from it as Merle did, and never had
found another "subject" upon whom he could so fully rely. There was no
doubt the congeniality of their souls had much to do with the success of
their achievements. It gave Merle particular pleasure to know William
eclipsed all other demonstrators of mesmeric power, feeling flattered to
be chosen by so wise a man as his principal subject.
He never dreaded to pass into the trance state, and had, in so far as it
was possible for him to do so, followed the injunctions he had been
given at the outset, to try and eliminate all personal opinions, holding
no personal prejudices, and offering no resistance.
Not a little of William's prestige depended upon the evidence Merle had
given him in the trance condition, and Alice was equally zealous, but
had never been used for any public work.
She, also, felt flattered to think the professor should select her to
assist him in his investigations instead of Merle, whom she considered
to be her superior as a subject, and whose reputation as a subject was
as great as the professor's as a demonstrator.
She had no realization of the difference in the kind or nature of the
work done through them, nor, indeed, had she ever speculated upon that
point.
Mrs. Millard excused herself, leaving William and Alice alone, and he
soon placed her in a trance. She said nothing until he questioned her.
"Alice, are you waking?"
"Yes, Professor."
"Can you see my wife? Tell me what she is doing."
"She looks very thoughtful. I do not know whether she is sad or not."
"Why should she be sad?"
"I do not know that she is sad."
"Then why do you speak of it?"
"I do not know."
"Alice, can you read her thoughts? You ought to. Try."
"Ask her to come here. She will be here soon. I feel she will help you
more than I can. There she is."
"Alice, I cannot bring her. You ought to know that."
"You must. Ask her."
"Her health will not permit it."