In Cotton Wool

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1912. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... THE blinds were up, the windows were open; air and sunlight poured into the house. The shadow had gone. And the grief gone with it? No, assuredly not. But he was astounded by the ease of mind that he was enjoying. He sat at breakfast eating heartily, feeling calmly contented, thinking steadily of the various affairs that called for attention, and stoutly determining to polish off all this new work as rapidly as possible. There was plenty to do, plenty to occupy his thoughts; and thus, during long hours, the grief could be forgotten. But he often wondered afterwards at the temporary disappearance of the sorrowful mood, and almost regretted as disloyalty the fact that he had let it slip away from him. Truly it seemed as though the absence of the outward stimulus destroyed the inward emotion. It was the sight of his father, the sound of the weak voice, the touch of the shaky hand, that had kept the emotions active. After death, there was still the terrible presence lying mute behind the closed door--now there was nothing. People were being excessively kind to him, and after a little while he found that he could see them without discomfort. They all advised him not to give way to grief, to rouse himself, to take his part in life. But no one said all this so forcibly as Dr. Searle. Now look here, Lenny, said the doctor. You ought to understand that a new chapter is beginning. All that old chapter is over and done with, and irt no good looking back on it. Don't be offended with me, but it's my duty to speak out. The time has come for you to take care of yourself. You have been taking care of someone else for so long that you may not see the necessity. It is imperative that you should now spare yourself. I have a good deal to do still--and chiefly for others. We...