I do NOT fear
it, and now let me exercise my art on you, for I am sure I can help
you a little. One must not play with these things, but this is in
earnest."
She came and sate down beside him, and stroked his hair, his brow;
she said, "Just try, if you can, to cast everything out of your
mind; relax your limbs, be entirely passive; and don't listen to
what I say--just let your mind float free." Presently she began to
speak in a low voice to him; he hardly heeded what she said, for a
strange drowsiness settled down upon him like the in-flowing of
some oblivious tide, and he knew no more.
A couple of hours later he awoke from a deep sleep, with a sense of
sweet visions and experiences--he looked round. Mrs. Graves sate
beside him smiling, but the horror suddenly darted back into his
mind with a spasm of fear, as if he had been bitten by a poisonous
serpent.
"What has been happening?" he said.
"Ah," said Mrs. Graves quietly, "you have been asleep. I have some
power in these things, which I don't use except in times of need--
some day I will tell you more; I found it out by accident, but I
have used it both for myself and others. It's just a natural force,
of which many people are suspicious, because it doesn't seem
normal; but don't be afraid, dear boy--all goes well; she is
sleeping quietly, and she knows what has happened."
"Thank you," said Howard; "yes, I am better; but I could almost
wish I had not slept--I feel the pain of it more.
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