"He agreed with me that it would be better to refer poor Tom's case to Dr. Dustacre; and I did so," replied the Squire.
"Who is Dr. Dustacre? I don't remember his name."
"No; you don't know him," said the Squire. "But he is a medical man of very much experience and skill in mental diseases. I used to know him, some years ago, when, as a magistrate, I had to visit the County Lunatic Asylum, of which he had then the management. Since that time he has had a private establishment at Fairford, which is very well spoken of, and where poor Tom, if it were needful for him to go there, would find all the home-comforts that he has been used to. I have interchanged one or two letters with Dr. Dustacre on this painful subject, and have suggested that he should come here and see poor Tom. I daresay there will be a letter from him in the morning, to make an appointment. I am sorry that this should occur at the time of your friend's visit; but I hope that Mr. Bouncer will not allow it to interfere with any little amusement that he may be able to find at the Woodlands. Does he know about poor Tom?"
"Yes; as we came along from Poynton, I told him all that it was needful for him to know."
"Then, nothing more need be said on the subject in his presence. It is useless to obtrude upon him a painful family business in which he can have no personal interest, and in which he cannot render any aid."
As Mr. Smalls quite agreed with his father on this point no mention was made, that evening, to Mr. Bouncer, of young Tom Winstanley, who failed to put in an appearance at dinner, preferring to take that meal in his own room, where he could not be watched by the eyes of a stranger.
