Dick himself looked terribleghastly white and thinner than everbut he still managed a smile.
Looks like e needs another of your magic injections, Mr. Herriot.
As I filled my syringe, my mind seethed with the thought that there was indeed some kind of magic at work here, but it wasnt my injection.
Ill drop in tomorrow, Dick, I said. And I hope youll be feeling better yourself.
Oh, Ill be awright as long as tlittle fellers better.
The old man stretched out a hand and stroked the cats shining fur.
The arm was emaciated and the eyes in the skull-like face were desperately worried. I looked around the comfortless little room and hoped for another miracle.
I wasnt really surprised when I came back next morning and saw Frisk darting about on the bed, pawing at a piece of string which the old man was holding up for him. The relief was great but I felt enveloped more suffocatingly than ever in my fog of ignorance. What the hell was it? The whole thing just didnt make sense. There was no known disease with symptoms like these. I had a strong conviction that reading a whole library of veterinary books wouldnt help me.
Anyway, the sight of the little cat arching and purring round my hand was reward enough, and for Dick it was everything. He was relaxed and smiling.
You keep getting him right, Mr. Herriot. I cant thank you enough. Then the worry flickered again in his eyes. But is
he going to keep doing it? Im frightened he wont come round one of these times.
Well, that was the question. I was frightened too, but I had to try to be cheerful.
Maybe its just a passing phase, Dick. I hope well have no more trouble now.
But I couldnt promise anything and the frail man in the bed knew it.
Mrs. Duggan was showing me out when I saw the district nurse getting out of her car at the front door.
Hello, Nurse, I said, youve come to have a look at Mr. Fawcett? Im sorry hes ill.
She nodded. Yes, poor old chap. Its a great shame.
What do you mean? Is it something serious?
Afraid so. Her mouth tightened and she looked away from me.
Hes dying. Its cancer. Getting rapidly worse.
My God! Poor Dick. And a few days ago he was bringing his cat to my surgery. He never said a word. Does he know?
Oh yes, he knows, but thats him all over, Mr.
Herriot. Hes as game as a pebble. He shouldnt have been out, really.
Is he is he suffering?
She shrugged. Getting a bit of pain now, but were keeping him as comfortable as we can with medication. I give him a shot when necessary and he has some stuff he can take himself if Im not around. Hes very shaky and cant pour from the bottle into the spoon. Mrs. Duggan would gladly do it for him, but hes so independent.
She smiled for a moment. He pours the mixture into a saucer and spoons it up that way.
A saucer ?
Somewhere in the fog a little light glimmered.
Whats in the mixture?
Oh, heroin and pethidene. Its the usual thing Dr. Allinson prescribes.
I seized her arm. Im coming back in with you, Nurse.
The old man was surprised when I reappeared.
Whats matter, Mr. Herriot? Have you left summat?
No, Dick, I want to ask you something. Is your medicine pleasant tasting?
Aye, its nice and sweet. It isnt bad to take at all.
And you put it in a saucer?
Thats right. Me hands a bit dothery.
And when you take it last thing at night theres sometimes a bit left in the saucer?
Aye, there is, why?
Because you leave that saucer by your bedside, dont you, and Frisk sleeps on your bed
The old man lay very still as he stared at me. You mean the little beggar licks it out?
Ill bet my boots he does.
Dick threw back his head and laughed. A long, joyous laugh.
And that sends im to sleep! No wonder! It makes me right dozy, too!
I laughed with him. Anyway, we know now, Dick. Youll put that saucer in the cupboard when youve taken your dose, wont you?
I will that, Mr. Herriot. And Frisk will never pass out like that again?
No, never again. Eee, thats grand!
He sat up in bed, lifted the little cat and held him against his face. He gave a sigh of utter content and smiled at me.
Mr. Herriot, he said, Ive got nowt to worry about now.
Out in the street, as I bade Mrs. Duggan goodbye for the second time, I looked back at the little house.
Nowt to worry about, eh? Thats rather wonderful, coming from him.
Oh aye, and he means it, too. Hes not bothered about himself.
I didnt see Dick again for two weeks. I was visiting a friend in Darrowbys little cottage hospital when I saw the old man in a bed in a corner of the ward. I went over and sat down by his side. His face was desperately thin, but serene.
Hello, Dick, I said.
He looked at me sleepily and spoke in a whisper. Now then, Mr. Herriot.
He closed his eyes for a few moments, then he looked up again with the ghost of a smile.
Im glad we found out what was wrong with tlittle cat.
So am I, Dick.
Again a pause. Mrs. Duggans got im.
Yes. I know. He has a good home there.
Aye aye The voice was fainter. But oftens I wish I had im here.