Elephant Man - Christine Sparks [87]
At last Carr-Gomm found his voice. “Mrs. Mothershead, I want your promise that you will say not a word of this to anyone.”
“Even Mr. Treves, sir?”
For once in his life Carr-Gomm’s pale eyes gleamed with a humor that was almost roguish.
“Especially Mr. Treves,” he said.
From his office window overlooking the front entrance Treves had watched the Committee members arrive. To him they all looked like executioners. They would vote to return John Merrick to hell, and then go home to supper with the easy consciences of good men. He hated every one of them.
Carr-Gomm sent for him before the meeting began, so that they could go in together.
To his amazement Carr-Gomm looked relaxed, almost cheerful as he led the way to the Committee room. Treves wondered for a moment if he could possibly have forgotten what was to happen today, or did he just no longer care?
“Sir,” he said urgently under his breath as they went in, “if there is any way we could defer …”
“Steady on, Treves,” Carr-Gomm interrupted. “Have a seat.”
Reluctantly Treves went to his seat. Carr-Gomm took his place at the head of the table and rapped his gavel. When he was sure he had their attention he began to speak.
“Gentlemen, I know we begin every meeting by reading the minutes, but in the interest of speed I think we should conclude a matter discussed previously, to wit, that of Mr. John Merrick, the Elephant Man …”
The very sound of the name brought Broadneck exploding to his feet. Carr-Gomm’s only reaction was to offer a smile to Treves who was feeling too grim to answer it.
“Mr. Broadneck?” Carr-Gomm beamed at Broadneck in a way a more sensitive man might have been wary of.
Broadneck began to yap. “Mr. Chairman! I was under the distinct impression that we had concluded discussion of this disagreeable matter. Had we not ascertained that an Elephant Man is not acceptable as a patient? Have we not, very generously, allowed the creature to use two of our rooms until such time as he could be properly disposed of? Have we not made every effort to interpret the hospital’s rules benevolently in the name of charity?”
His swiveled gaze round the table produced the expected rumble of agreement. The Committee members were beginning to feel harassed by Carr-Gomm. More than one of them silently offered thanks that Broadneck was available to do the dirty work.
Confident that he had the majority with him, Broadneck expanded. “Which brings to mind my next point. The rules, gentlemen, the rules. In a society such as ours, it is of paramount importance that we not stray from the established order. Has that order not alreatly been fearfully strained by allowing this … this … sideshow exhibit to take up residence, however temporary, in two very useful rooms, the purpose of which would be far better served in accommodating treatable patients, patients to whom this hospital was originally dedicated? I believe we have a duty …”
Treves felt he might vomit if he stayed listening. How could Carr-Gomm sit there, that inscrutable smile on his face as if he expected the heavens to open any minute and a deus ex machina to descend and make everything right? Didn’t he understand that he’d ruined their chances by bringing matters to a head prematurely? Or had he too secretly joined the ranks of the uncaring? Was this a way of reneging on his word, getting rid of John Merrick and allowing Broadneck to take the blame?
For a moment Treves seriously considered the possibility. He knew Carr-Gomm to be a well-meaning man but a subtle and devious medical politician. He was about to hurl caution to the winds and throw himself into Merrick’s defense when he looked up suddenly and caught Carr-Gomm’s eyes on him. He had the feeling that the older man had read his every thought and was trying to tell him something. The pale eyes looked directly into his own with a message as clear as words.
Leave it to me, I know what I’m doing.
Treves leaned back against his chair and his hands unclenched. He was still troubled, but Carr-Gomm’s remarkable power of instilling trust as if by hypnotism