How Dark the Night Read Free Page A

hopeful.”
    Diana nodded and hid her face in her hands, grateful for his comfort but unable to utter a word.
    â€œThen in your estimation the surgery was a success, Doctor?” That question came from Frederick Seymour, Anne’s husband. Everyone in the room had expected him to ask that most vital question. Direct and candid language was not only at the root of his nature, it also was at the root of his own medical practice in Cambridge.
    â€œIn my opinion, yes it was, Doctor,” Prescott stated. “My assistant Dr. Thorndike and I removed Mrs. Cutler’s left breast without complication or compromise. I do not believe the surgery could have gone better.”
    Joan Cutler was about to ask the inevitable follow-up question when Lizzy Cutler Crabtree, Katherine’s closest friend since their childhood together in England, asked it instead. She had been the first person inwhom Katherine had confided back in April, when Richard was off waging war in the Mediterranean, and had borne the secret alone until he had returned. “Were you able to remove all the cancer?”
    Prescott hooked his thumbs in the pockets of his waistcoat and stared solemnly at the floor for a moment, as if to contemplate his answer or to underscore its significance. “Regretfully, we cannot determine that, Mrs. Crabtree. It’s really anyone’s guess. Medical science knows very little about this dreadful disease. For now, everything is in God’s hands. But as I said, we have every reason to be hopeful. You are aware, of course, that President Adams’ daughter had the same procedure for the same reason and is now living a normal life.”
    â€œWhen will we know for certain if the cancer is gone?” Lizzy persisted.
    â€œAgain, I cannot tell you when we will know, or even if . The cancer may return, but in the meantime she may have months—even years—of a perfectly normal life. We’ll just have to take each day as it comes and be grateful for that day. I realize that you want specifics, but those I cannot give you. Certainly we can all pray for her full recovery. I can assure you that I will do so.” What remained unsaid—that Katherine’s prognosis would likely have been better had she agreed to the surgery earlier—was best left unsaid. The family understood what lay behind that decision, and nothing would be gained by reexamining it now.
    â€œBut my mother will get better, at least for a while?” Diana threw out her question as a plea, her delicate features a study of desperate hope. Yesterday there had been no consoling her; neither her father nor anyone else had been able to ease her pain. She had soldiered on nonetheless, determined to keep her dark fears and anguish bottled up to the extent possible, waiting in agonized suspense for this moment.
    Prescott smiled at her. “Yes, Diana, your mother will get better. That much I can promise you. She was living a normal life before the surgery, was she not? So why not after the surgery? I daresay that if this splendid weather holds, in a few weeks’ time you and she will be riding your customary route at World’s End. At a walk or a canter, mind you,” he added, wagging a finger at her in mock sternness, “ not at a hard gallop.”
    With that, the dike burst. “Thank you, Doctor!” Diana sobbed. “You could not have said anything to make me happier.” As if to belie those words she leaned forward, buried her face in her hands, and wept great heaving sobs, giving vent to the unspoken emotions felt by everyone present. Richard bit his lip and dabbed at his eyes with a handkerchief as his brother Caleb stood up to stand beside Dr. Prescott.
    â€œThank you, Doctor,” he said, pressing Prescott’s hand. “The Cutler family is most indebted to you for your excellent care of our dear sister and mother.”
    Prescott bowed. “It is my honor, Mr.