She says they're awfully
afraid of him, that they think he can do a mischief to people he doesn't
like." As he said nothing for a moment, she added rather defiantly:--"I
daresay you think it is absurd that I should listen to village gossip,
but the truth is, I've a kind of horror of the child. He terrifies me!"
Dr. O'Farrell looked round the room as if he feared eavesdroppers. He
even got up and went to see if the door was really shut. "That's very
curious," he said thoughtfully. "Very curious indeed. But no, I'm not
thinking you absurd, Mrs. Crofton. The child's a very peculiar child.
Have you ever heard of thought transference?"
She looked at him, astonished. "No," she answered, rather bewildered, "I
haven't an idea what you mean by that."
"Well, you've heard of hypnotism?"
"Oh, yes, but I've never believed in it!"
To that remark he made no answer, and he went on, more as if speaking
to himself than to her:--"We needn't consider what the village people
say. Timmy just tries to frighten them--like all boys he's fond of his
practical joke, and of course it's a temptation to him to work on their
fears. But the little lad certainly presents a curious natural
phenomenon, if I may so express myself.
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