Something of a liar was Cyrus, in emergencies, but he told the truth
when he said "lots of things have been done that never were done
before; and mighty surprisin' things, too!"
History bears him out. The stories of Grimm and Andersen are
commonplace events besides the victories of Science. Interesting,
indeed, would be the views of Galileo on wireless telegraphy, or
Botticelli's opinion of the "movies," or even what language the British
commander might have used at Bunker Hill had the Yankees employed
aeroplanes. Since the impossible is now in daily use, the dream of the
visionary in every home, incredible things have ceased to astonish.
Fairy tales are coming true.
So thought Dr. Alton, on the afternoon following that last interview
between Ruth and Cyrus, when he was suddenly converted from incredulity
to compulsory faith in an achievement which he had believed
impossible. As he drove up to his own house Cyrus leaned out of the
sitting room window and told him to go at once to Mrs. Heywood who had
fallen on the stairs and broken a leg. Dr. Alton asked no questions,
turned about and drove off. A few hundred yards along the road he met
Mr. Heywood, who, much agitated, and traveling fast, as if trying to
walk and run at the same time. The doctor stopped and the clergyman
climbed in. As they started off Mr. Heywood exclaimed, out of breath:
"How fortunate this is. I was afraid you might not be at home. Poor
Alice, I fear, has broken her leg."
"Yes, so I heard. I am on my way there."
"On your way to my house?"
"Of course."