most generously, as his nurses, posed like some sort of theatrical ballet troupe, wearing masks and standing completely still in front of dull, stained curtains. They were all completely still, and I felt a prickle of unease twist up my backbone.
The doctor wore the ancient plague mask, which struck me as most anachronistic!
“ Welcome, my dear friends!” the Doctor said, moving with a flourish.“ Please come in, and take a seat. Please don’ t mind the mess.”
A nearby nurse kicked a bloody something under the table.
The Doctor approached, the nurses spreading out as if in a dance formation, all gathering around us. The Doctor observed me most closely saying,“ Now I don’ t want to alarm you, my dear, but you certainly do look ill. Open wide and say“ ah,” so that I may observe your heart beat.”
I thanked the doctor for his concern, and continued by indicating that it was Percy, not I, who was very clearly ill and had a fever. However, I knew something was wrong here in this asylum, and I also suggested that we might, perhaps, come back later.
The nurses locked the door at that moment, and that was when I realized it was the inmates who were running this asylum. I know not when or how it happened, only that it happened very near the day or time of our arrival. We were now sequestered in this institute for the insane!
“ Nonsense,” said the Doctor.“ I promise to take care of your beautiful little sister.”
“ Why are we at the theater, Missus Dashwood?” Percy asked, delirious.
I could not correct him then, for the nurses guided Percy away from my protection. He was in no state of mind to heed me anyway. They began to try to remove his clothing, to which I objected. It is never proper to prepare for a hospital bed in