Retelling George MacDonald's story, Adela Cathcart, continued

It is Saturday, and John is avoiding going downstairs because there is someone he does not want to meet.  John does not want to meet Percy's mother.  He goes down for dinner and there is Percy's mother, sitting beside Adela.  He says hello to her and they chat pleasantly.  So far all is well, but John cannot quite get rid of a creeping sensation in his calves in the presence of Percy's mother.  

The next day, Sunday, John and the Colonel go to see Dr. Armstrong on the way to church.  Dr. Armstrong gives them his first impressions of Adela.  He still is not ready to see her as a patient, but would like a little more time to observe her informally.  In the meantime he recommends that they try to find something that interests her.

Here John speaks up and tells the doctor and the colonel that he has an idea what might interest and help Adela.  He recommends stories, because Adela seems drawn to stories.   Though the Colonel is politely skeptical, Dr. Armstrong agrees with John and adds that he thinks Adela has nothing to think about that is uplifting or that feeds her spirit and her soul.

Dr. Armstrong recommends his brother, the new Curate, and his brother's wife, as people Adela might enjoy, and who would be able to tell the kind of stories that might be helpful.  The Colonel agrees to the plan and invites Dr. Armstrong, along with his brother the Curate and his brother's wife, to dinner on Monday.  They decide not to tell Adela  about their plan, but just to get together often for a couple of weeks, on the pretense that it is because of the Christmas season.