"A what?"

    "A disorder of the nerves. At least We think it is. We don't know yet exactly how it works, but its often seen in early adolescence. She shows all the symptoms: the hyperactivity; the temper; her performance in math."

    "Yeah, the math. Why the math?"

    "It affects concentration." He ripped the prescription from the small blue pad and handed it over, "Now this is for Ritalin."

    "What?"

    "Methylphenidate."

    "Oh."

    "Ten milligrams, twice a day, I'd recommend one at eight A. M., and the other at two in the afternoon."

    She was eyeing the prescription.

    "What is it? A tranquilizer?"

    "A stimulant."

    "Stimulant? She's higher'n a kite right now."

    "Her condition isn't quite what it seems," explained Klein. "It's a form of overcompensation. An overreaction to depression."

    "Depression?"

    Klein nodded.

    "Depression..." Chris murmured. She was thoughtful.

    "Well, you mentioned her father," said Klein.

    Chris looked up. "Do you think I should take her to see a psychiatrist?"

    "Oh, no. I'd wait and see what happens with the Ritalin. I think that's the answer. Wait two or three weeks."

    "So you think it's all nerves."

    "I suspect so."

    "And those lies she's been telling? This'll stop it?"

    His answer puzzled her. He asked her if she'd ever known Regan to swear or use obscenities.

    "Never," Chris answered.

    "Well, you see, that's quite similar to things like her lying---uncharacteristic, from what you tell me, but in certain disorders of the nerves it can---"

    "Wait a minute," Chris interrupted, perplexed. "Where'd you ever get the notion she uses obscenities? I mean, is that what you were saying or did I misunderstood?"

    For a moment, he eyed her rather curiously; considered; then cautiously ventured, "Yes, I'd say that she uses obscenities. Weren't you aware of it?"

    "I'm still not aware of it. What are you talking about?"

    "Well, she let loose quite a string while I was examining her, Mrs. MacNeil."

    "You're kidding! Like what?"

    He looked evasive. "Well, I'd say her vocabulary's rather extensive."

    "Well, what, for instance? I mean, give me an example!"

    He shrugged.

    "You mean 'shit?' Or 'fuck'?"

    He relaxed. "Yes, she used those words," he said.

    "And what else did she say? Specifically."

    "Well, specifically, Mrs. MacNeil, she advised and to keep my goddamn finger away from her cunt."

    Chris gasped with shock. "She used those words?"

    "Well, it isn't unusual, Mrs. MacNeil, and I really wouldn't worry about it at all. It's a part of the syndrome."

    She was shaking her head, looking down at her shoes. "It's just hard to believe."

    "Look, I doubt that she even understood what she was saying," he soothed.

    "Yeah, I guess," murmured Chris. "Maybe not"

    'Try the Ritalin," he advised her, "and we'll see what develops. And I'd like to take a look at her again in two weeks."

    He consulted a calendar pad on his desk. "Let's see; let's make it Wednesday the twenty-seventh. Would that be convenient?" he asked, glancing up.

    "Yeah, sure," she murmured, getting up from the chair. She crumpled the prescription in a pocket of her coat. "The twenty-seventh would be fine."

    "I'm quite a big fan of yours," Klein said, smiling as he opened the door leading into the hall.

    She paused in the doorway, preoccupied, a fingertip pressed to her lip. She glanced to the doctor.

    "You don't think a psychiatrist, huh?"

    "I don't know. But the best explanation is always the simplest one. Let's wait. Let's wait and see." He smiled encouragingly. "In the meantime, try not to worry."

    "How?"

    She left him.

As they drove back home, Regan asked her what the doctor had said.

    "That you're nervous."

    Chris had decided not to talk about her language. Burke. She picked it up from Burke.

    But she did speak to Sharon about it later, asking if she'd ever heard Regan use that kind of obscenity.

    "Why, no," replied Sharon. "I mean, not even lately. But you know, I think her art teacher made a remark." A special tutor who came to the house.

    "You mean recently?" Chris asked.

    "Yes, it was just last week. But you know her. I just figured maybe Regan said 'damn' or 'crap.' You know, something like that."

    "By the way, have you been talking to her much about religion, Shar?"

    Sharon flushed.

    "Well, a little; that's all. I mean, it's hard to avoid. You see, she asks so many questions, and---well... " She gave a helpless little shrug. "It's just hard. I mean, how do I answer without telling what I think is a great big lie?"

    "Give her multiple choice."

In the days that preceded her scheduled party, Chris was extremely diligent in seeing that Regan took her dosage of Ritalin. By the night of the party, however, she had failed to observe any noticeable improvement.