predisposition to madness of Lear, even if, like Hamlet, he sometimes appears rational.”
“My father’s made quite a study of the furiously insane,” said Jane.
“He should be locked up in the poorhouse,” the doctor said. He slammed his fist onto the table for emphasis.
“The poorhouse? But surely he’s not indigent,” I said.
“I’m not sure if you follow the same practice in Kentucky,” Patterson replied, “but here in Illinois, when we have men unable to govern themselves, they often end up confined to a small room at the back of the poorhouse. Some European states have lately suggested that these madmen should be removed to special therapeutic hospitals where they may receive moral treatment, as a result of which some may be cured of their defect, but here in Illinois we’re still locking them away. In most circumstances, I consider our practice a tragedy, a waste of a life. But for Richmond? Nothing would suit him better.”
Fortunately, the hired girl appeared at that moment and started clearing the dishes from the table. The doctor seethed silently while the other three of us sat in silence. By the time the girl was done, the doctor’s anger had seemed to subside.
“Jane, why don’t you and Miss Speed retire to the family parlor,” he said. “I want a word with Mr. Speed.”
Martha winked at me as she took Jane’s arm and escorted her from the room. The hired girl placed two drinking glasses and a long-stemmed, green-glass wine bottle on the table. Patterson filled both glasses.
“Tell me what you think,” he said, nodding at me to take one up. “I brew my own medicinal liquors. My formulation’s a secret. Those charlatans Gage and Warren”—two of the other doctors in Springfield—“would gladly poison me if they thought I’d give up the recipe on my deathbed. Three slugs of this every night and you’ll never have a day’s sickness. I guarantee it.”
I threw back the liquor and barely managed to keep it down. I had never tasted alcohol so strong or bitter. If I have three slugs of that, I thought, I’ll be lying in the corner begging for my mother.
“Good, isn’t it?” the doctor murmured as he filled the glasses again.
“Delicious,” I managed.
“Mind you, this is the mildest of my formulations. If you’d like, we can sample the stronger brews as well.” He started to call for the hired girl, but I hurriedly waved him off.
“Let’s savor this one,” I said.
“As you wish.” He raised up his second glass and tossed it back. I lifted mine and took a tiny sip.
“You seem a sensible young man, Speed,” Patterson said, settling back into the deep recess of his chair.
I nodded politely. “I’d like to think so.”
“I want to know your intentions are honorable.”
“Er—I certainly hope they are,” I returned. “Though I confess I’m not altogether sure what you’re referring to.”
Patterson reached out and poured himself another glass. He put the liquor bottle back onto the tabletop with force, causing my glass to jump. “You’re here to court Jane, aren’t you?” he asked. His face was suddenly hard, his jaw set and his eyes boring in on mine.
I silently cursed Martha’s scheme and took a long drink of the bitter liquor. No holding back this time.
“I hope there’s been no misunderstanding,” I said, feeling my way slowly over the uncertain terrain. “Any unmarried man of Springfield would be, I’m sure, lucky to court your daughter. You have every reason to be prideful of her.” I paused. “But I’ve dined here tonight at the instigation of my sister, who’s made your daughter’s acquaintance through a mutual friend. It wasn’t my intention to signal anything deeper to you, or her, by my presence. I certainly hope I haven’t inadvertently done so.”
Patterson deliberately tipped back his glass and drank deeply, while I wondered if my words had been sufficient to extricate myself. But at that instant, there was a loud pounding on the dining room door and the hired girl barged in.
“Not now—” began Patterson with a loose wave of his arm.
“I’m sorry, sir, but she said it was urgent,” said the girl breathlessly. “One of your patients, sir, one who was here this afternoon. She’s returned and she says she needs to see you at once. She says it’s a matter of life or death.”
The doctor jumped up, swayed, and hurried toward the entrance hall, his steps slightly unsteady and the tails of his surgical coat fluttering behind him. I followed a few steps back. Standing at the open front