James, Fabulous Feline by Harriet Hahn

Author:Harriet Hahn
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media

I spent part of the next morning taking stock. The models were at Huntingdown being photographed. They did not need my attention. Two pieces of research were progressing nicely. James was back at work at Thwaites. The topaz earrings were still in Ellen’s hands, but I felt sure they would be returned in due time. I decided to stop in at Thwaites to see what was coming up. After looking at what was on show in the great room, I wandered up to the third floor to see Peter.

Marilyn, who usually greets me when I arrive, was standing comforting an older woman who was sitting in the chair Marilyn usually uses, sobbing into an already soaked handkerchief. James was sitting on Marilyn’s desk watching intently.

“I wish I knew how to help,” said Marilyn to the woman.

“I wish you did too,” said the woman between sobs. “It’s just that I am frightened all the time and I don’t know why. I feel a little safer here.” Her sobs subsided somewhat.

“Have you ever thought of seeing a psychiatrist?” Marilyn asked. “I think one might be able to help you.”

“I’m afraid to,” wailed the woman. At last she got up, blew her red nose and went to wash her face in the lavatory.

Marilyn turned to me. “Poor Elsie,” she said. “She is an excellent cataloger but she has been getting more and more unhappy. She is afraid to go out, and it is a terrible struggle for her just to get to the office, and then there is a terrible struggle to go home. She really needs professional care.”

James was tugging at me.

“You want to know what a psychiatrist is?” I said.

James nodded.

“A psychiatrist is a doctor who deals with emotional problems such as Elsie’s. He helps you unravel the associations that cause your anxiety.” While grossly oversimplified, I thought this explanation would do for the moment.

James nodded. Then he squared his shoulders and marched off in search of Elsie. He seemed determined to become a psychiatrist and solve her problems. It would take his mind off his missing earrings.

He found Elsie sitting at her desk looking gloomily into space at nothing. He insinuated himself beside her. Slowly, she let her hand stroke him. He purred gently but did not move. The technique that had been a success with Miss Elena might do here for starters. At last Elsie looked at him.

“Nice kitty,” she said.

He purred a little louder and rubbed his face very slowly against her hand. She smiled.

Peter was free so I stopped watching the doctor at work and went into Peter’s office.

“James has a new profession,” I said. “He’s becoming a psychiatrist.”

“Good,” said Peter. “Shortly we’ll all go to lunch with Dr. George Levithan, an excellent psychiatrist who is also a collector. He has just brought in some material for us to sell and I’m taking him to lunch at the club.”

At noon James and I joined Peter at his club, where we were introduced to Dr. Levithan. Peter cleverly

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