It was a fortunate coincidence that three physicians had been invited. Many of the ladies—and gentlemen–young and old alike, suffered from hysterical shock. Others had been physically injured. One lady, in her alarm, pulled the chair out from under her husband, and he landed hard upon his coccyx. This may sound comical, but if the bone breaks, it is extremely painful, and one cannot sit for weeks. The maid that Donald Wheelwright had bowled over struck her head against the wall and was briefly knocked unconscious. Old Mrs. Wheelwright had fainted dead away. Perhaps the saddest case was the cook. She blamed herself for everything, although she was clearly not responsible. At first she insisted she would pack her things and leave at once. Both Michelle and Violet tried to calm her. Finally she agreed to remain, but she was inconsolable. Before we left, Michelle gave her a sedative to help her sleep. She kept muttering that she was disgraced, that she would never cook again. Holmes wanted to question her about the cake, but Michelle would not allow it.
