The patient had been given arsenic with other drugs; he gave her
arsenic only, increasing the doses enormously, until she was given as
much in a day or two as would have killed a healthy person; with milk
for only nourishment. As a result, in a week or so the decline was
stayed, and in that condition, very near to dissolution, she continued
some weeks, and then slowly, imperceptibly, began to mend. But so slow
was the improvement that it went on for months before she was well. It
was a complete recovery; she had got back all her old strength and joy
in life, and went again for a ride every day with her sister.
Not very long afterwards both sisters were married, and my visits to
Cannon House ceased automatically.
Now the two White Houses are but a memory, revived for a brief period
to vanish quickly again into oblivion, a something seen long ago and
far away in another hemisphere; and they are like two white cliffs seen
in passing from the ship at the beginning of its voyage - gazed at with
a strange interest as I passed them, and as they receded from me, until
they faded from sight in the distance.
IX
DANDY A STORY OF A DOG
He was of mixed breed, and was supposed to have a strain of Dandy
Dinmont blood which gave him his name.
