Uncle Benjamin found he had reckoned without his host when he promised so airily to take Valancy to a doctor. Valancy would not go. Valancy laughed in his face.

 

“Why on earth should I go to Dr. Marsh¹? There’s nothing the matter with my mind. Though you all think I’ve suddenly gone crazy. Well, I haven’t. I’ve simply grown tired of living to please other people and have decided² to please myself. It will give you something to talk about besides my stealing the raspberry jam. So that’s that.”

 

“Doss,” said Uncle Benjamin, solemnly and helplessly, “you are not—like yourself.”

 

“Who am I like, then?” asked Valancy.

 

Uncle Benjamin was rather posed.

 

“Your Grandfather Wansbarra,” he answered desperately³.

 

“Thanks.” Valancy looked pleased. “That’s a real compliment. I remember Grandfather Wansbarra. He was one of the few human beings I have known—almost the only one. Now, it is of no use to scold or entreat⁴ or command, Uncle Benjamin—or exchange anguished⁵ glances with Mother and Cousin Stickles. I am not going to any doctor. And if you bring any doctor here I won’t see him. So what are you going to do about it?”

 

What indeed! It was not seemly—or even possible—to hale Valancy doctorwards by physical force. And in no other way could it be done, seemingly. Her mother’s tears and imploring⁶ entreaties⁷ availed not.

 

“Don’t worry, Mother,” said Valancy, lightly but quite respectfully. “It isn’t likely I’ll do anything very terrible. But I mean to have a little fun.”

 

“Fun!” Mrs. Frederick uttered the word as if Valancy had said she was going to have a little

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