Free The Angry Tide by Winston Graham

there privately - in comfort. Fed and looked after by persons competent to fulfil such duties. Taken away from the strain of life in a busy vicarage. Given the constant and full medical care that she so obviously needs.'
    Behenna looked at his companion.
    'I would hardly have thought such places afford - hm - quite what you say. But there it is. It w ould cost you money, of course.’
    Ossie bowed his head. 'That I would have to face.'
    'And in a sense deprive you of a helpmeet, Mr Whitworth. Although I appreciate the problems that you have to face -'
    'Great problems. I am a man, with all a man's natural needs. It is not good mat a man should suffer deprivations of the kind I am forced to suffer. You, of all people, must know it is detrimental to his health and well-being.'
    'Possibly-'
    'There can be no "possibly" about it, Dr Behenna. It is the gravest possible hazard to his physical and mental equilibrium -'
    'It could so be argued. What I was about to say was that I understand Mrs Whitworth fulfils most of her household duties adequately. And this, if she were put away, you would altogether lose, You could not re-marry.'
    'Certainly not. The marriage bond is sacred and indissoluble. No, no ... I should be forced to engage a housekeeper.'
    The two men looked at each other, and then Behenna bent his head to his drink.
    'A housekeeper ...'
    'Yes. Why not? After all, I understand that you employ one, Dr Behenna.'
    The doctor put down his tankard. He wondered where Mr Whitworth had heard of his private arrangements. Of course nothing was private in a small town.
    'Well, yes, I do.'
    Two drunken men, arms twined, tried to get in through the door but failed. After some stumbling and argument they backed out, not encouraged by the stare of the clergyman sitting at one of the tables.
    Behenna shrugged, 'Well, my dear sir, who am I to say more on
this subject? As Mrs Whitworth's husband you are entitled to have
her sent away if you wish. I doubt if anyone could object. I suppose
she has a mother living?But you have the prior right ...'
    Ossie frowned, 'Dr Behenna, I am in holy orders, and therefore my position is somewhat delicate - more delicate, that is, than if I were an ordinary common member of the secular community. It is not a matter of having the agreement of her relatives that concerns me, but of obtaining the sanction of my bishop. Or if not the sanction, then at least the sympathy. If I took this grave step of having my wife put away; and I do not question that it is a grave step - she might very well be incarcerated for life - I should be reluctant to have the matter brought to his notice if the decision had been taken solely on my own initiative. The opinion of the surgeon attending on my wife would therefore be of the utmost value and importance. That is why I request it.' There was silence for a minute or two.
    'Ecclesiastcs’ said Osborne, finishing his drink. 'Chapter 38, verses one and following, I believe it is. I have never used a passage from the Apocrypha as my text, but no one I am sure would object. "Honour a physician with the honour due unto him for the uses which ye may have of him, for the Lord hath created him." Something of that sort. It would be very suitable, in that context, to bring up the subject of the true as distinct from the false physician. Don't you think?'
    Dr Behenna twisted one of the brass buttons on his coat. 'Your wife has never shown any positive signs of violence, has she?'
    'She has repeatedly threatened the life of our son, I told you. Isn't that enough?'
    'It is certainly a very grave sign. Though su ch threats could well be empty,’
    'How can one tell?' said Ossie. 'Does one have to wait until the dastardly crime has been committed'? And upon an innocent, defenceless child? I never have a moment's peace.'
    Behenna finished his own drink. 'I understand how you feel, Mr Whitworth. I'll come and see Mrs Whitworth again. Would Tuesday be convenient?'

Chapter Five
I
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