“I am not ‘annoyed,’ I assure you,” Katherine replied, flushing again under his regretful glance. “Miss Reynolds, being a teacher, does not come under the ban; but I desire to respect Prof. Seabrook’s wishes under all circumstances.”
“All honor to so loyal a student, and I will henceforth govern myself accordingly,” smilingly returned the gentleman, as he again doffed his hat to her. “But I must move on. I have to make my visit to Dorothy and get back to the city for another appointment within an hour. I am very glad to have met you, ladies,” and, with a parting bow, the handsome doctor went his way, leaving Katherine and her teacher to continue their ramble.
“How strange that you should know Dr. Stanley!” Miss Reynolds observed. “He is the youngest member of Mrs. Seabrook’s family, and a fine fellow—a very talented man, in fact. He had begun to distinguish himself in his profession before he went abroad, and now, even though he has been home only a couple of months, he has an extensive practice. But I suppose this does not interest you, as you have no use for doctors,” she concluded, archly.
“Indeed, it does interest me,” said Katherine, earnestly, “and I hope you do not think that Scientists hold physicians in contempt. We all know that there are many noble men among them, who are devoted to their profession and are most conscientious in the practice of medicine.”
“But I suppose you would not employ one under any circumstances?”
“No; I could not.”
“You have such faith in your mother’s healing power, you would trust her before the most noted practitioner of materia medica?”
“I have such faith in God’s healing power that I would trust Him, and Him only,” Katherine corrected, gently.
“Do you never take medicine of any kind?”
“No; I have never used a drop or a grain—nor material remedies of any description—since I was three years of age.”
“Perhaps you have never been ill enough to need them?”
“Yes, I have needed help at times; but it has always come through the understanding of Christian Science.”
“Well, it is all a sealed book to me,” sighed Miss Reynolds, with a look of perplexity. Then she inquired: “How did Dr. Stanley learn that you and your mother are Scientists?”
“There is a little story connected with that revelation and our acquaintance with him,” said Katherine. “There was a dear little girl on board the Ivernia who became violently seasick the day we sailed for home. The ship’s surgeon was appealed to, but he could do absolutely nothing for her; she grew worse every hour for three days, when she seemed to be sinking rapidly. The surgeon called a consultation with Dr. Stanley and another physician from Philadelphia; but every remedy which their united learning prescribed failed, utterly, to afford any relief. The parents were in despair and a gloom settled over the whole ship, for it was