"
--- *"Arising of itself." A term rather hastily applied to disorders the
coming signs of which have not been detected by the medical attendant.
The birth of Topsy was idiopathic--in that learned lady's opinion. ---
"Not bled enough! Why, Sampson says it is because he was bled too much."
Osmond was amused at this, and repeated that the mania came of not being
bled enough.
The discussion was turned into an unexpected quarter by the entrance of
Jane Hardie, who came timidly in and said, "Oh, Mr. Osmond, I cannot let
you go without telling you how anxious I am about Alfred. He is so thin,
and pale, and depressed."
"Nonsense, Jane," said Mr. Hardie; "have we not all cause to be dejected
in this house?" But she persisted gently that there was more in it than
that; and his headaches were worse, and she could not be easy any longer
without advice.
"Ah! those headaches," said Mr. Osmond, "they always made me uneasy. To
tell the truth, Miss Hardie, I have noticed a remarkable change in him,
but I did not like to excite apprehensions. And so he mopes, does he?
seeks solitude, and is taciturn, and dejected?"
"Yes.
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