19 The Exam Week
Nobody ever knew what exactly had happened to Gwen. She was much too hurt and ashamed to tell anyone the story. So she said nothing, but went about subdued¹ and red-eyed the whole week-end.
Everything had gone so well at first! Her frightened mother had taken her straight home, after Mam’zelle had mentioned Gwen’s strange heart flutterings and palpitations. She had made her lie down and rest, and she and Miss Winter had fussed over her like a hen with one chick. Gwendoline had loved every minute, and had at once produced the languid ways and the feeble voice of the invalid².
She was rather pleased to know that her father was away and not likely to be back at all that week. By that time Gwen hoped she would be established as a semi-invalid, would miss all the exam, and might then gradually get better, once the exam danger was over.
The doctor came and listened solemnly to Gwen’s mother’s frightened explanations. “I’m so afraid it’s her heart that’s wrong, Doctor,” she said. “The games are very strenuous³ at school, you know.”
The doctor examined Gwen carefully. “Well, I can’t find anything wrong,” he said. “Nothing that a week’s rest won’t put right, anyway. She’s a bit fat, isn’t she—she could do with a bit of dieting, I should think.”
“Oh, but Doctor—there must be something wrong with the child’s heart,” insisted Mrs. Lacy. “Miss Winter and I have been very troubled to see how she loses her breath, and can hardly get up to the top stair when she goes to her bedroom.”
“Well—why not get another opinion then?” said the doctor. “I should like you to satisfy yourself about Gwendoline.”
“I’ll take her to a specialist,” said Mrs. Lacy, at once. “Can you recommend one, Doctor?”
The doctor could and did, and on Wednesday the languid invalid was carefully driven up to London to see the specialist recommended. He took one quick glance at Gwendoline and sized her up at once.
He examined her very carefully indeed, with so many “hm’s” and “ha’s” that Gwendoline began to feel frightened. Surely she hadn’t really got something the matter with her? She would die if she had!
The specialist had a short talk with Mrs. Lacy alone. “I will think over this, and will write to your doctor full details and let him know the result of my considerations. In the meantime, don’t worry,” he said.

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