“Yes, and the same argument holds good regarding what we have been talking of,” was the quick response.  “I have been taught it from my youth up, and although I know but very little of Christian Science, for it is infinite, yet what I have learned I know just as clearly as I know certain statements in the ’History of the United States’; yes, far more clearly,” she interposed, with a little laugh, “for I am obliged to take the historian’s account for granted, in part, while I can demonstrate, prove Christian Science for myself.”

Dr. Stanley’s shapely brows were arched ever so slightly at this assertion.

“Have you ever done any healing, Miss Minturn?” he inquired.  “Have you ever cured anyone of a severe illness?”

Katharine flushed under his glance and question.

“A person cannot be said to know very much about mathematics unless he is able to demonstrate mathematical problems,” she observed, after a moment of hesitation.

“I see; you mean that anyone who acquires the principles of Christian Science can demonstrate it by healing the sick?”

“Yes.  It is the Christ-science, or the Science of Christianity, as demonstrated and taught by Jesus, who said, ’The works that I do shall ye do also if ye believe in Me.’  So anyone who conscientiously investigates it, from an honest desire to know the Truth, will grow into the practice of it.”

“Miss Minturn, do you believe that you could help Dorothy?” earnestly inquired Phillip Stanley.

“I know that she could be helped under right conditions; and I wish—­I feel sure that my mother’s understanding is sufficient to meet the case,” she thoughtfully returned.

“‘Under right conditions,’ what do you mean by that?”

“Dorothy would have to be willing to be treated, and the consent of Prof. and Mrs. Seabrook would also be necessary.”

“Then nothing could be done for her by your method except under those conditions?” and Dr. Stanley’s tone conveyed a sense of disappointment.

“No; it would not be right—­it would be interfering where one would have no authority to intrude.”

“But it would be doing good; that is always justifiable, is it not? even if the child could be given but one night’s peaceful rest to prove its efficacy.”

“Some physicians believe in hypnotism; do you?” Katherine inquired, with apparent irrelevancy.

“Well, under certain circumstances, it might be employed to advantage, but, as a rule, I am opposed to it.”

“We utterly repudiate it as a very dangerous and demoralizing practice; but, Dr. Stanley, would you think it right, under any circumstances, for a person to hypnotize you without your consent?”

“Indeed I would not; it would be a dastardly act,” emphatically declared the physician.

“On the same principle, Christian Scientists feel that they have no right to treat, or try to influence anyone mentally, even to do good, without permission,” Katherine explained, as she arose, thinking, perhaps, enough had been said on the subject.