Summary:\u00a0 Ben feels the pressure of his many responsibilities and needs a break for a while.
\nRating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 \u00a06,740 words<\/p>\n
Alone in a Crowd<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBen?\u201d Ben Cartwright turned at the sound of the woman\u2019s voice. He smiled into her blue eyes and she returned the look with a worried one of her own. \u201cAre you alright out here?\u201d she asked.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d he replied as he turned back to stare out over the balcony again. \u201cJust admiring San Francisco at night. It really is a beautiful city you know Doreen.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d she said, coming to stand next to him and looking at the lights below as well. \u201cIt is. Tom and I love it here.\u201d She touched Ben on the arm gently. \u201cWe\u2019re so glad that you\u2019ve come to stay for a while Ben. It\u2019s doing Tom the world of good to have you here visiting.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben smiled at her again. \u201cIt\u2019s doing me the world of good too,\u201d he admitted. \u201cAway from the worries of the ranch and all the business.\u201d He took a deep breath of night air. \u201cI needed the rest,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n She nodded. \u201cYes you certainly looked as if you did when you arrived,\u201d she said. \u201cI hope you\u2019re getting just what you need here with us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben nodded. \u201cIt\u2019s been wonderful,\u201d he said. \u201cI can\u2019t thank you and Tom enough for letting me stay like this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n She gave him a mock indignant look. \u201cAnd why wouldn\u2019t we?\u201d she asked, putting her hands on her hips. \u201cHaven\u2019t you helped us enough over the years?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shrugged. \u201cI was just being a friend,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAnd we\u2019re just doing the same,\u201d she said. \u201cCome on inside Ben. It\u2019ll do you good to talk to everyone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI will in a few minutes,\u201d he said, patting her on the arm. \u201cI\u2019d just like to stay out here for a little while longer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhatever you want Ben,\u201d she said. \u201cWell, I\u2019d better get back to our guests before they wonder where I\u2019ve got to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Doreen swept back into the crowded room as Ben watched her. He listened for a few minutes to the low murmur of the chatter from the many guests they\u2019d invited for the evening and then turned back once more to lean on the railing of the balcony and stare out into the darkness beyond. He sighed as he thought about the last few days and the things that he\u2019d done here in San Francisco.\u00a0 This was probably the very first time that he\u2019d visited this city without a work agenda to keep him busy. Even when he\u2019d taken vacations here in the past, he had always combined the trips with business to justify the long trip.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n That was what the problem had been, he reasoned. The ranch had consumed so much of his life for so long now that he felt quite lost without it. He kept feeling guilty that he wasn\u2019t working at least in some capacity, but he supposed that was only natural for someone who\u2019d lived for so many years with the ranch as the major focus of his life. He stopped his thought with a jerk. No \u2026 the ranch wasn\u2019t the main focus of his life \u2026. His boys were that \u2026. And it was because of his boys that he\u2019d ended up listening to everyone and coming to San Francisco in this way.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n He thought back to how he\u2019d been during the past few months and realised now that he must have been very difficult to live with. The problem was of course that at the time he just couldn\u2019t see it. The constant heavy workload and the pressures of business had gradually been grinding him down to the extent where he\u2019d felt that he was ready to snap. He should have seen the light long before now, but in his usually stubborn way he\u2019d not listened to his own body or the opinions of those around him when they\u2019d tried to tell him that he needed a break. Thank God that he finally had, for he hated to think what the outcome would have been if he hadn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n They had all tried to tell him. Paul Martin in particular had been most insistent that he needed a break, and had tried time and time again to tell him. Even the boys had tried and he\u2019d certainly given them a hard time during these past months. He frowned as he thought about it \u2026.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n **********<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben looked up. \u201cDo you want something?\u201d he snapped.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss shrugged. \u201cNot really,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThen go and do something,\u201d said Ben irritably as he looked back at the papers sprawled in front of him on the large desk. \u201cCan\u2019t you see I\u2019m up to my ears in paperwork here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure thing Pa,\u201d said Hoss, shrugging again. \u201cOnly \u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben sighed in frustration. \u201cOnly what?\u201d he said, looking up again. \u201cSpit it out Hoss. If you\u2019ve got something to say, then say it for heavens sake!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss looked slightly hurt at his father\u2019s remark. \u201cI was only wondering how ya are Pa,\u201d he ventured.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHow I am? I\u2019m fine. Why wouldn\u2019t I be?\u201d asked Ben impatiently.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss shrugged for a third time, giving his father a puzzled look. \u201cWell ya looked a mite peaky at breakfast. I thought maybe you was sick or something.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d said Ben. \u201cThank you for asking son,\u201d he added. \u201cNow please leave me alone to get on with this. You know I hate paperwork and I\u2019d just like to get it done.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCan I help?\u201d asked Hoss.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss made a face. \u201cOK,\u201d he said. \u201cI guess I\u2019ll go and get some chores done then.\u201d Ben didn\u2019t comment, but continued to write in the ledger. Hoss gave him a worried look and walked outside. \u201cI\u2019d get to work if I was you,\u201d he warned Joe who was sitting on the edge of the porch with his hat over his face as he leaned back against one of the poles.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI am working,\u201d retorted Joe, taking his hat off his face and looking up at his brother. \u201cI\u2019m thinking about what to do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss shook his head. \u201cWell if I were you little brother, I\u2019d do my thinking somewhere else. If Pa catches you sitting there he\u2019ll have a piece of your hide.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe made a face. \u201cHe still grouchy?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hoss nodded. \u201cYup. Worse than ever,\u201d he replied. \u201cI\u2019m kinda worried bout him Joe. It ain\u2019t like him ta be so bad tempered fer so long.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll get over it,\u201d said Joe, putting his hat over his face again. Hoss shrugged and walked away.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Within two minutes, a booming voice behind him made Joe jump up with a start. \u201cWhat do you think you\u2019re doing there!\u201d yelled Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe picked up his hat from where it had dropped next to his feet and grinned at his father. \u201cI\u2019m just getting to work Pa,\u201d he said. \u201cYou know that I\u2019m always busy working.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben grunted. \u201cI\u2019m going down to the branding corral to check out where they\u2019re up to,\u201d he said. \u201cI want to see you hard at work when I get back Joseph.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBy the time you get back, then I will be,\u201d quipped Joe, his grin getting wider and his eyes sparkling with mischief.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll get to work right this minute young man!\u201d snapped his father. \u201cNow get!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou want me to saddle Buck for you Pa?\u201d asked Joe, unabashed.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo I don\u2019t,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cI\u2019m quite capable of saddling my own horse thank you. Now get to work!\u201d\u00a0 He stomped off to the barn and Joe sighed as he headed off towards the woodpile with a resigned look.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben quickly saddled his horse and rode down the short trail towards the branding corral where Adam was hard at work directing the men. \u201cWell at least on of my sons is working,\u201d said Ben grumpily as he dismounted. \u201cHow\u2019s it going Adam?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFine,\u201d said Adam. \u201cI take it you mean Joe by that remark?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben didn\u2019t answer, but frowned as he looked across at the men working. \u201cThere\u2019s an awful lot of men here,\u201d he snapped.\u00a0 \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI brought the rest of the men down from the timber camp to finish off here,\u201d Adam explained. \u201cI thought we\u2019d get finished here first and then take everyone up to start cutting the timber.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe have a deadline on that timber!\u201d snapped Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI know that,\u201d replied Adam calmly. \u201cI negotiated it, remember?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell then you should be very aware of how important it is to have men up there working at the moment,\u201d said Ben, raising his voice.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWe have plenty of time,\u201d reasoned Adam. \u201cIt makes sense to finish off here first and then \u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI want those men back up there now!\u201d shouted Ben. \u201cSee to it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut \u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNow Adam!\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam drew a deep breath. \u201cAlright,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019re the boss.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI most certainly am!\u201d snapped Ben. \u201cAnd don\u2019t forget it.\u201d He stopped as he saw the expression on his son\u2019s face. \u201cI\u2019m sorry Adam,\u201d he said after a moment. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to snap at you like that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam shrugged. \u201cThat\u2019s OK,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ll get the men organised as you want Pa.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben watched as his son walked away and began to give orders to the men. He didn\u2019t know why he\u2019d suddenly lost his temper in the way he had, all he knew was that he\u2019d been doing it a lot lately. As he mounted up again and rode back towards the house, he tried to reason it all out. <\/span>I\u2019m just tired, <\/span><\/i>he thought. <\/span>We\u2019ve all been so busy lately … that\u2019s all that it is. I must try and take it easy for a while.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n **********<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cDid you move those men back up to the timber camp?\u201d asked Ben at supper that night.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d replied Adam shortly. \u201cI told you that I was going to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI was just checking,\u201d said Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Adam rolled his eyes at his two brothers as their father bent his head and commenced eating again.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHey Pa?\u201d said Joe suddenly.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYes?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI was thinking that I might go into town tonight and \u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell you were thinking wrong,\u201d snapped Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBut Pa \u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s enough! You\u2019ll stay at home.\u201d Joe slumped down in his seat and pouted.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cPa?\u201d said Hoss. \u201cAre you OK?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben looked up. \u201cWhy do you keep asking me if I\u2019m alright?\u201d he said grumpily. \u201cI\u2019ve told you that I am Hoss.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re awful grouchy Pa,\u201d ventured Joe tentatively.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell maybe I have good reason to be,\u201d said his father testily. \u201cWhat with sons who need constant reminding to do their work.\u201d Joe said nothing, but lowered his head and stared at his plate of food.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n There was quiet for a few minutes as they all ate. Finally Ben broke the silence. \u201cI\u2019m sorry boys,\u201d he said. \u201cI know that I\u2019ve been testy lately. I\u2019m just tired.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy don\u2019t you have an early night Pa?\u201d asked Adam. \u201cYou\u2019ll feel better in the morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben nodded and got up from the table wearily. \u201cI think I will,\u201d he said. \u201cGood night boys.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNight Pa,\u201d they chorused.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben climbed the stairs slowly, suddenly feeling very tired. He went straight to his bedroom and sat at the window, gazing down at the darkness beyond that was Lake Tahoe. He wondered what was wrong with him. It wasn\u2019t like him to be so cranky with the boys and everything else and he hoped that a good night\u2019s sleep would help.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n He just didn\u2019t seem to enjoy life anymore and he didn\u2019t know why. Perhaps it was that he had too many pressures with running the ranch or perhaps it was just that he was getting old? Whatever it was, Ben sincerely hoped that the lethargy he\u2019d been feeling would soon pass.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n **********<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shifted restlessly on the buckboard seat and rubbed his temples as he tried not to let his frustration show. Normally Joe\u2019s constant chatter amused him, but today all he had wanted to do for the past hour was to ask the youngster to be quiet. Finally he could stand it no longer. \u201cJoe, do you think you could just be quiet long enough to draw breath?\u201d he asked sarcastically and then was immediately sorry as he noticed the hurt look on his son\u2019s face.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSorry Pa,\u201d Joe said quietly. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to rattle on like that for so long.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019m sorry son,\u201d replied Ben. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean anything like that.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Joe remained silent as they approached Virginia City, making Ben feel even worse than before. \u201cHow about you go on up to the mercantile and order those supplies?\u201d he suggested. \u201cI\u2019ll go to the Livery Stable and see about those horseshoes and then we can meet at the saloon. I\u2019ll buy you a drink.\u201d\u00a0 He was rewarded instantly by one of Joe\u2019s wide smiles that lit up his face and caused his eyes to sparkle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cSure thing Pa,\u201d replied the young man. \u201cI\u2019ll see ya there soon.\u201d\u00a0 He waited while Ben climbed down from the buckboard and then hitched up the team and drove on up the street.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben watched him go before turning and walking across the street towards the Livery Stable. He halted as he heard his name called. \u201cBen! Oh Ben! Wait!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben turned to see George Bristol, the Bank manager, hurrying to catch up with him. \u201cGeorge,\u201d he said, holding out his hand. \u201cNice to see you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI was beginning to worry,\u201d said George as he shook Ben\u2019s hand.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWorry? Why?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n George gave him a strange look. \u201cYou didn\u2019t turn up for our 11 o\u2019clock appointment,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben slapped his hand on his head. \u201cOh George, I completely forgot,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m so sorry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s alright,\u201d said George. \u201cOnly it\u2019s not like you to miss an appointment and I was worried that something serious might have happened.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben shook his head. \u201cNo,\u201d he said. \u201cI must have just forgotten. I\u2019ll call in and see you in about ten minutes if that\u2019s alright?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMake it fifteen,\u201d said George. \u201cSee you then Ben.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben closed his eyes momentarily and shook his head as George walked away, wondering how on earth he could have forgotten about the meeting. It seemed that he was forgetting quite a few things lately and he felt as if he was losing control over his own life. The bank appointment was just one more example of it.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cBen?\u201d He opened his eyes to see doctor Paul Martin standing in front of him and looking at him strangely. \u201cAre you alright?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben forced a smile onto his face. He felt like shouting out his frustration, but instead he simply shook the other man\u2019s hand. \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d he said. \u201cHow are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Paul ignored the question. \u201cYou don\u2019t look fine,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNothing,\u201d Ben assured his friend. \u201cI just remembered something I\u2019d forgotten to do, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI see,\u201d said Paul, looking at the other man intently. \u201cI just saw that youngster of yours down at the mercantile and he told me you were in town. I\u2019m glad, because I was going to come out and see you tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben sighed, thinking that here was another person who wanted something from him. It seemed that everywhere he turned lately someone was wanting him to do something. \u201cWhat\u2019s the matter?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell that\u2019s what I was going to ask you,\u201d replied Paul. \u201cWhat is the matter Ben?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know what you mean,\u201d said Ben.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou know exactly what I mean,\u201d replied Paul knowingly. \u201cYou haven\u2019t been yourself lately and I want to know why. Are you feeling alright? I\u2019m worried about you Ben.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d Ben assured him. \u201cI\u2019ve just been working a bit too hard lately, that\u2019s all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWell you look terrible,\u201d said Paul. \u201cI\u2019d like you to come over to my office for a check-up before you leave town.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI said I\u2019m fine,\u201d said Ben, trying to keep the irritation out of his voice. \u201cWhy does everyone think I\u2019m not?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Paul lifted an eyebrow at his words and studied him for a moment. \u201cWho else thinks you\u2019re not?\u201d he asked finally.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben waved his hand around airily. \u201cOh \u2026 no one,\u201d he said. \u201cI must go Paul. I\u2019ve got quite a few things to get done before I meet Joe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Paul held onto the arm of his sleeve. \u201cI mean it Ben,\u201d he said. \u201cNow either you come and see me for a check-up before you leave town today, or I\u2019ll be out at the ranch tomorrow to do it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cOh for heaven\u2019s sake!\u201d said Ben, this time showing his frustration. \u201cCan\u2019t a man just work a bit harder than usual without everyone getting on his back about it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Paul crossed his arms over his chest. \u201cI thought you said that no one else was concerned?\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben hesitated. \u201cAlright,\u201d he said. \u201cYou win. I\u2019ll come over and see you in about an hour. Alright?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Paul nodded. \u201cSee that you do,\u201d he said and shook his head as he watched Ben walk over towards the Livery Stable.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n By the time Ben made it to the saloon to meet Joe, he was in a bad mood. \u201cHi Pa,\u201d said Joe as his father entered. \u201cYou\u2019re late. It\u2019s usually me who is, ain\u2019t it?\u201d Ben grunted and said nothing. \u201cI thought you was weaselling out of buying me that drink like you promised,\u201d continued Joe, grinning at his father.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYour father doesn\u2019t weasel \u2026 I mean \u2026 don\u2019t I always keep my word?\u201d snapped Ben, throwing some coins on the table. \u201cHere \u2026. You have your drink. I haven\u2019t got time to stay now, so pick me up at Paul Martin\u2019s office in half an hour.\u201d\u00a0 He pointed a finger at the surprised Joe. \u201cAnd don\u2019t be late young man. You\u2019re to have one drink and no more. Understand?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYeah,\u201d said Joe, picking up the money. \u201cBut can\u2019t you stay and have one with me Pa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI just said that I couldn\u2019t,\u201d snapped Ben.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhy are ya going to see the Doc?\u201d asked Joe. \u201cAre you feeling alright Pa?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m fine!\u201d snapped Ben. \u201cMeet me in half an hour Joseph. No longer!\u201d\u00a0 He strode from the saloon, leaving a very puzzled Joe behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with your Pa?\u201d asked Sam, the bartender. \u201cYou in trouble again Joe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNah,\u201d said Joe. \u201cHe\u2019s just crabby lately is all. I\u2019ll have a beer thanks Sam.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ben sat in Paul Martin\u2019s waiting room, getting angrier by the minute. He knew that he really didn\u2019t have time for this nonsense and wanted to just go home and get back to the multitude of things that he had to get done. By the time Paul escorted Mrs Billings out of the inner office and was ready for him, he felt his blood boiling. \u201cThis\u2019ll have to be quick Paul,\u201d he said. \u201cI haven\u2019t got much time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve got just as much time as I\u2019m going to need to examine you,\u201d said Paul calmly as he ushered him into the inner office. \u201cNow sit on the examining table while I take your blood pressure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll be high,\u201d Ben warned him. \u201cI can feel it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Paul was silent for a few moments. \u201cIt certainly is high,\u201d he said. \u201cOpen your shirt while I listen to your heart.\u201d\u00a0 Ben did as he was told and tried to remain composed while Paul listened through his stethoscope. \u201cNow lie down,\u201d instructed Paul.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n