’sbehavioursoextraordinarythatheconsultedDr.Ramsay.Themedicalmanhadbeenforthirtyyearstherecipientofmaritalconfidences,andwasscepticalastothevalueofmedicineinthecureofjealousy,talkativeness,incompatibilityoftemper,andthelikediseases.HeassuredEdwardthattimewastheonlyremedybywhichalldifferenceswerereconciledbutafterfurtherpressingconsentedtosendBerthaabottleofharmlesstonic,whichitwashishabittogivetoallandsundryformostoftheillstowhichthefleshisheir.ItwoulddoubtlessdoBerthanoharm,andthatisanimportantconsiderationtoageneralpractitioner.Dr.RamsaylikewiseadvisedEdwardtokeepcalmandbeconfidentthatBerthawouldeventuallybecomethedutifulandsubmissivespousewhomitiseveryman’sidealtoseebyhisfireside,whenhewakesupfromhisafter-dinnersnooze.
Bertha’smoodswerecertainlytrying.Noonecouldtelloneday,howshewouldbethenextandthiswaspeculiarlyuncomfortabletoamanwhowaswillingtomakethebestofeverything,butontheconditionthathehadtimetogetusedtoit.Sometimesshewouldbeseizedwithmelancholy,inthetwilightofwinterafternoons,forinstance,whenthemindisnaturallyledtoacontemplationofthevanityofexistenceandthefutilityofallhumanendeavour.Edward,noticingshewaspensive,astatewhichhedetested,askedwhatwereherthoughtsandhalfdreamilyshetriedtoexpressthem.
“GoodLorddeliverus!”hecriedcheerily,“whatrumthingsyoudogetintoyourlittlenoddle.Youmustbeoutofsorts.”
“Itisn’tthat,”sheanswered,smilingsadly.
“It’snotnaturalforawomantobroodinthatway.Ithinkyououghttostarttakingthattonicagain—butIdaresayyou’reonlytiredandyou’llthinkquitedifferentinthemorning.”
Berthamadenoanswer.Shesufferedfromthenamelesspainofexistenceandheofferedher—IronandQuinine:whensherequiredsympathybecauseherheartachedforthewoesofherfellow-men,hepouredTinctureofNuxVomicadownherthroat.Hecouldnotunderstand,itwasnouseexplainingthatshefoundasavourinthetendercontemplationoftheevilsofmankind.ButtheworstofitwasthatEdwardwasquiteright—thebrute,healwayswas!Whenthemorningcame,themelancholyhadvanished