“But now, with their troubled gaze upon him, the doctor could not for the life of him think of a word to say—appearing every bit the speechless suitor rather than the older man of rationality he was to represent.

“‘Why not believe what Mother says,’ came a quiet voice from the chair at the man’s side. ‘That there is someone—’

“‘Hisst, Nell!’ cried the elder, startled into motion by her sister’s words.

“Thus wrested from his speechlessness, Dr. Bates looked to the younger woman almost thankfully. But what he saw there yielded little comfort, for upon her small, pale face lay the stamp of a fixed idea, her eyes staring and wide from out the mass of her thick hair, left free.

“‘Nay, Susannah,’ this one pursued, ‘the doctor should know.’ And she turned back to address the man. ‘Mother has heard voices calling to her.’

“‘Voices?’

“‘A voice.’

“Susannah Grange had buried her face in her hands, but she did not protest again, and, keeping her eyes upon her sister’s bent head, Nell proceeded.

“‘In the past week, our mother has complained that she must get higher in the house—higher up, to reach this voice.’

“‘What is the nature of the voice? Does it speak words?’

“‘No.’ Susannah’s head shot up. ‘There are no words, Nell.’

“The younger looked at the elder. ‘There are no words,’ the elder repeated firmly, and then, as if possessed again of herself and the situation, she turned her full attention upon the doctor, though she pressed a nervous hand to her brow. ‘Last night, we heard Mother calling out in great excitement. We ran to the top of the house and found her standing in the middle of the attic, her arms raised up as though she were pleading with someone in the eaves.’

“‘Was there someone else there?’

“The question was met with a disquieting silence it seemed neither daughter wished to break. The intrepid man attempted another question. ‘Now, think, if you would, whether there has not been some idea your mother has fastened upon—’

“Low and swift, Susannah interrupted.

“‘She believes she is to be punished now for undetected sins—that is her word, Doctor—sins that she committed when she was quite young.’

“Dr. Bates chuckled. ‘That is a common-enough alarm among women at her time of life.’

“‘But she holds great stock in the idea,’ said Nell gravely.

“‘Come, come, my dears. What has your good mother to be punished for, eh?’

“‘Precisely,’ said Susannah, looking at Nell. ‘There is nothing for which Mother need be punished.’

“‘But that is not all.’ Nell paid her sister no mind, fixed instead upon the doctor.

“‘Yes?’

“‘She believes that someone has returned.’

“‘I see.’ The doctor reflected on this. ‘And when did this fixity begin?’