Miss Bigelow's countenance was beaming like an electric light.
"I really _had_ to come!" she exclaimed so soon as she could take breath. "Have you heard about Mrs. Conner spraining her ankle?"
"Emmy, open the door!" moaned Mrs. Darter from within--her bed-room adjoined the parlor. Emmy opened the door, while she said: "I'm so sorry. When? How is she?"
"Oh, she's all right now!" said Miss Bigelow. "It's wonderful--a real miracle, I told sister. That's what I came to tell you. She sent over for us, and there she lay, flat on the kitchen floor. I begun to treat her in my mind the minute I saw her, for I saw she was in error. All her word was: 'Send for a doctor; it's sprained, if it ain't broke!' I didn't know what _to_ do. I didn't want to encourage her in error, and yet you know we are _not_ advanced so far as sprains and broken bones, and it is usual to summon a doctor; and I don't feel I'm advanced enough myself to undertake serious cases; I'm too weak and timid, and I haven't the spiritual vision. Emmy, does your mother _always_ groan that loud way? Is she in pain? I mean, does she _think_ she is in pain?"
"Yes'm," said Emmy; "but please go on; mother is listening."
"Well, I stood there dazed, you may say; and just then in came Miss Keith. She's a little slim thing, but _such_ eyes! They seem to look you through and through! I'd have known she was a healer even if Mrs. Conner hadn't told me the night before when she was over in our house. She stood there, just simply looking at Mrs. Conner, not saying a word for a minnit. Then she says in the _kindest_ voice--I can't tell you how soft and kind her voice was!--she says, 'Have you the impression of great pain, Mrs. Conner?' And Mrs. Conner--you know how--well abruptly--she speaks, she said: '_Impression_ of pain? I only wish you had something jabbing you like a hot iron, I guess you'd be _impressed_. Ain't anybody going to take off my stocking? It's swelling every minnit!' Miss Keith only looked at her, and lifted her hand for me and the girl to keep still. I expect she was giving her silent treatment, for in a moment or two she said: 'Well?' in such an inspiring, cheerful tone; and Mrs. Conner said, 'Why, it's better!' surprised as could be; and I had to clap my hands for joy. But Miss Keith told us both to go out for a while and so we did. We waited half an hour by the clock, and that girl was the most restless being you ever saw. I had all I could to keep her quiet. Then the door opened--" Miss Bigelow made a wave of her plump hands, indicating the opening of a door, and paused with hands and voice. Mrs. Darter had ceased to groan.