The Healers (Volume 1)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 edition. Excerpt: ...out of the coop which had confined them, and, in spite of Laura's murmured and muttered protests, spread itself in a conglomeration of bundles, human and otherwise, around the central figure, the impresaria of the show. My dear Mr. Graye, said Maria. My dear friend, I am delighted to see you looking so well. Thanks, said Kenneth. Physically, my health is excellent. Psychically, of course---- Of course, said Maria, more nervously still. That is just what we have come to talk about. These friends of mine are very tired with their long journey; do you think they might go in and sit down? Oh, certainly, by all means! exclaimed the evercourteous Kenneth, hastily stepping aside. So, in spite of the uncertain opposition of Laura, while the gardens were still being scoured for Edward, the travellers trooped through the window and distributed themselves in variegated attitudes of picturesque clumsiness all over the large old-fashioned room. None of my friends speak a word of English, except the interpreter, said Maria. The Chantilly widow, thus ignored, started coughing. Maria took no notice. Hortense said: Tchah! The company, indeed, did not look as if it would prove conversant with the English language, or with Englishry in any form. It was supremely, southernly foreign. Manifestly its components must be located amongst the Italian peasant class. There were, first, in a corner by themselves, seemingly apathetic, but not devoid of a certain dignity, two blear-eyed, rather broken old men, with parchmenty faces, lean, grizzled, in a black stockinged country dress, and, in company with them, a bright-visaged, restless...