He said queer spells -- trances , I think was the name he give 'em -- come over him now and again . Are there such things , Doctor ? '' `` There are people who are certainly subject to trances , '' answered Gilbert . `` The matter is more in the line of psychical research than medical . What were the trances of this John Selwyn like ? '' `` Like dreams , '' said the old Doctor skeptically . `` He said he could see things in them , '' said Captain Jim slowly . `` Mind you , I 'm telling you jest what HE said -- things that were happening -- things that were GOING to happen . He said they were sometimes a comfort to him and sometimes a horror . Four nights before this he 'd been in one -- went into it while he was sitting looking at the fire . And he saw an old room he knew well in England , and Persis Leigh in it , holding out her hands to him and looking glad and happy . So he knew he was going to hear good news of her . '' `` A dream -- a dream , '' scoffed the old Doctor . `` Likely -- likely , '' conceded Captain Jim . `` That 's what I said to him at the time . It was a vast more comfortable to think so . I did n't like the idea of him seeing things like that -- it was real uncanny . '' ` No , ' says he , ' I did n't dream it . But we wo n't talk of this again . You wo n't be so much my friend if you think much about it . '
`` I told him nothing could make me any less his XXXXX .
GOING comfort dream dreams friend horror idea line research trances