The following was inspired by the BBC's Cranford, which was adapted from Cranford, Mr. Harrison's Confessions, and My Lady Ludlow, all by Elizabeth Gaskell. I have no connection to either the BBC or Mrs. Gaskell, and have taken all manner of liberties with the canon.

Chapter 7: Dr. Morgan's Prescription

"May I speak plainly, Mr. Carter?"

"Please do, Doctor." Mr. Carter had not expected this particular visit from Dr. Morgan, nor did he welcome it. If Dr. Morgan appeared on the doorstep, it was usually to prescribe some distasteful tonic or suggest some other unpleasant addition to his regimen, and the expression Morgan was wearing this time did nothing to discourage that impression, either.

"Well, then," began Dr. Morgan, "I share Dr. Harrison's opinion that your recovery has been most satisfactory. The wound's healed nicely, no signs of infection, and you've borne any pain quite admirably." He paused, very much dreading the next speech he had to make. "But I must tell you, Mr. Carter, that it is a recovery of the body alone."

Carter's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. Morgan took a deep breath and continued.

"Quite frankly, Mr. Carter, I am deeply troubled by this melancholy that has afflicted you. Oh, it's entirely natural; I understand that. You're a man in the prime of life, after all, and to have this happen – well, it has to have been a bitter blow."

"But, Mr. Carter, I'd be a poor doctor if I treated an injury and left your spirits to waste away. You must look to your mind from now on, as well as your body, for one is as essential as the other."

"Well, then, Doctor," replied Carter, rather coolly, "just what course of treatment are you proposing?" Harrison took my leg – or rather the explosion did that, damn it -- but for God's sake, won't anyone leave me my pride?

Morgan brightened. "Nothing's simpler, Mr. Carter. You must seek stimulation of the mind – an intellectual challenge, spiritual sustenance, perhaps even distraction – but above all seek out society --"

"Society!"

"Yes, your friends, your associates. You've undergone surgery, Mr. Carter, not formal banishment! There's no need to make a hermit of yourself. Can you not, for instance, just as easily spend your evenings in pleasant company as not? That's the cure for melancholy, Mr. Carter -- as I know from my own experience," he added, smiling.

"Really, Dr. Morgan, at present I cannot gad about Cranford." And I never did in the first place, he thought.

"No, but you have intellectual pursuits. Don't say you haven't. I know you're a reading man, an educated man. Well, seek out those who share your interests. And you are no misanthrope, Mr. Carter, however much you would like to convince me otherwise. People like and respect you, too; do not forget that." Morgan was afraid that last part savored too much of flattery, but was rewarded when Carter's glowering subsided ever so slightly. Still, the man was as guarded as a fortress.

Morgan continued, gently, "I speak not merely from professional interest but sincere concern. And I confess I would never forgive myself if I let a man who had so much to be grateful for – yes, Mr. Carter, would that all my patients could count themselves so fortunate – destroy himself with despair."

Carter flinched. Despair? He had flattered himself that he had had discipline enough to master both the temptation to complain and to grieve. Still, he had been well aware of the worried and watchful gazes of Lady Ludlow, Mr. Beckett, Miss Galindo, even young Harry, and now Dr. Morgan had his eye upon him.

Somehow it hadn't been enough, Mr. Carter thought, to have to wake up every day to sorrow and self-loathing. No, there had to be this constant onslaught of pity and advice and scrutiny, when he wished people would leave him alone

As if privy to Mr. Carter's thoughts, Morgan continued. "Mr. Carter, I've no wish to add to your suffering, and I meant no offense. You have borne a great deal with admirable restraint. But I would be a poor doctor, and a worse neighbor, not to see what has become of your spirits. And I'd never forgive myself if I failed to speak plainly."

Drawing in a breath, Morgan continued, "You must look after yourself. Take the air, call upon your neighbors, once you are up and about. Embark on a new endeavor."

He paused for a moment, and then smiled once more. "Surely God must have left you among us for a reason, Mr. Carter. Can't you set about discovering what His plan might be?"

To Mr. Carter's immense relief, the next time Dr. Morgan called, he brought young Frank Harrison with him. Mr. Carter had actually preferred to deal with Cranford's newer physician, given the man's straightforward but diplomatic manner with his patients, and Harrison was, as Reverend Hutton put it, a man of science.

But Harrison had also been discussing the Carter case with Jack Marshland, and evidently caught some of the Irishman's mischievous spirit. "Do not become too accustomed to that chair, Mr. Carter, " Dr. Harrison announced. "We are going to have you up and about in no time!"

Well, perhaps the faculty at Guy's Hospital gave instruction in exhausting patients with relentless cheer, thought Mr. Carter. It was always so simple for physicians: Do this, and all will be well. He'd have liked to have seen how Harrison would have borne it, had he lost a leg.

"Besides, Lady Ludlow would have our heads if we failed you now." And Mr. Carter thanked Providence that her ladyship was not present to hear that singularly inappropriate joke.

"Indeed, Lady Ludlow has been most impressed with your efforts, Dr. Harrison, and so have I. And we are both eager to learn what news you have about my – my prospects."

"Well, then, Mr. Carter, I believe it is possible, with your full recovery, that we might send you to London to be fitted with a medically suitable limb – jointed, not some crude device – which would allow you to walk again, to resume your duties in full. And even your appearance ought not to seem much altered, at that."

Mr. Carter had his doubts about that last claim. Still, there was one question he had to ask. "Do you think I will be able to ride again?"

"One task at a time, if you please, Mr. Carter!" said Dr. Morgan.

Harrison smiled kindly. "It may be possible." This was the first time he had seen Carter express any interest in the future, and he didn't want to discourage it. "We'll have to see once you have been fitted with your new limb. But it is just about time, Mr. Carter, that you made that trip to London."

To be continued...