Elephant Man - Christine Sparks [46]
“In a hospital,” Carr-Gomm supplied for him. “And someone there taught you to read? A doctor, nurse—?”
“No. Someone else who was ill.” Merrick spoke slowly and with difficulty; it was so many years since anyone had required him to talk, and many of the words he needed seemed to elude him. “He taught me from the Bible—but he died. He said I could have his Bible and his prayer book. I’ve read from them ever since.”
“And that is all you’ve read?”
“Sometimes I’ve seen newspapers—if people leave them about.”
“Mr. Merrick—these things you’ve read in the Bible—do they mean anything to you?” Carr-Gomm was having some difficulty expressing himself. “I mean—when you speak of goodness and loving kindness following you all the days of your life—” He stopped, too embarrassed to continue to this creature who had known little goodness or kindness since the day of his birth.
“Oh yes,” said Merrick simply. “Mr. Donner told me it was all true.”
“Who was Mr. Donner? The man who taught you?”
“Yes. He’d been a vicar once, but he didn’t want anyone but me to know. He used to say he’d ‘come low’ to be in a pauper hospital. But he said it was all true, and I should remember God loved me, even if—even if it didn’t seem as though he did.”
“And do you believe that?”
“Oh yes. Else how would Mr. Treves have found me?”
“Sir,” said Treves in a strained voice, “you have several other appointments this afternoon. Don’t you think …”
“Yes indeed. I mustn’t tire Mr. Merrick with too long a visit.” Carr-Gomm put out his left hand, which Merrick took without hesitation. The smile Carr-Gomm gave him was almost conspiratorial. “It was a great pleasure to meet you, Mr. Merrick,” he said for the second time that afternoon.
“I am very pleased to meet you.”
“I hope we can talk together again some time. Good day.”
“I’ll be right back,” said Treves hurriedly as he showed Carr-Gomm to the door. He closed it firmly behind him and faced the Chairman on the landing. Carr-Gomm’s face was pale and he looked shaken.
“My God, how awful!” he said. “I want to see you in my office as soon as you’re finished up here. We’ve a good deal to discuss.” He started down the stairs.
“Of course, sir. Thank you. Thank you very much, sir.”
Halfway down the stairs Carr-Gomm stopped and looked back.
“Treves—well done.”
“Not me, sir. Mr. Merrick. He succeeded in spite of me.”
Treves returned to the Isolation Ward slowly. He was unsure how he was going to face Merrick after the harm he had nearly done him.
“Pride and pomposity,” he thought bitterly. And for good measure he added an even worse sin. “And having a closed mind from the start.”
He found Merrick back on the bed, propped up against his pillows. He was clearly exhausted by what he had been through. He opened his eyes when the door opened, and the two men looked at each other for a long moment.
“Why did you let me go on like that?” said Treves at last. “Teaching you what you already knew? Why didn’t you tell me you could read?”
“You did not ask me,” said Merrick simply.
The first rule when making a diagnosis—ascertain all the facts. To have tripped over that easy hurdle after all this time!
“I never thought to ask. How can you ever forgive me?”
The young man became anxious. “Oh no, do not say that. I frightened you. You have been so kind to me. I was afraid to say too much. People always want me to be quiet. You wanted me to speak, but I was afraid, I—forgive me.”
Merrick spoke without rancor or blame. He had long ago lost the instinct to protest. He simply accepted what came, day by day. Treves felt that he had never been so ashamed of himself as he was at this moment.
“We do have a lot to talk about, don’t we?” he said. “I have to go and see Mr. Carr-Gomm now. I think you should get some rest.” At the door he stopped. “I’ll see you’re given plenty to read in future.”
“Could I—?”
“Yes, go on.”
“A newspaper. I would like to know about the world.”
“Of course. I’ll see you get one. Goodbye, John.”
He found Carr-Gomm seated