574 EXPERIENCES OF A SURGEON. 



We seated ourselves by the bed-side ; and it was obvious to me, that 

 her end was approaching, and that the chest was loaded with water. 

 The Doctor first examined her tongue, then I did the same : he next 

 pulled out his gold repeater, and very deliberately counted the pulse : 

 he then handed the watch to me, and, putting on an air of gravity 

 resembling his own, I counted it likewise : he next called for various 

 utensils, and, inviting me to accompany him to the window, he 

 turned them backwards and forwards till his curiosity was satisfied, 

 and mine more than satisfied : then he called for a tape with which 

 the patient was measured every morning, in order to ascertain whe- 

 ther increase or diminution had taken place in her size. On apply- 

 ing this to the yard-stick, the report was, increase one-twelfth of an 

 inch. He shook his head ; I did the same : then he asked to see the 

 different articles of food and medicine she was taking : these he 

 tasted seriatim ; I did the same ; and finally ordered her, next, stewed 

 rice to have a very little salt added to it. We were shown with great 

 ceremony into another room: chairs were placed for us ; pens, ink, 

 and paper laid on the table, and we were left to our consultation. 



We seated ourselves; and the Doctor, to whom I was well known, 

 opened thus: " You know Hopkins of the Vale, 1 think, Mr. 

 Parfleur?" " Yes, Doctor, we have reason to know something of 

 him, for he owes us a very large bill, which he swears he won't pay." 



" Ah ! he 's a sad scoundrel, to be sure ; he has played me a dog's 

 trick only yesterday." 



" Indeed, Doctor ! how so? I have heard him praise you to the 



skies, and you became his sole medical attendant on Mr. 's 



dismissal." 



" Just so, and I really thought him a very worthy, pleasant man 

 -his house, as you are aware, is delightfully situated in the midst 

 of a splendid garden, and during the fine weather I used to enjoy 

 the visit exceedingly : I made it the last in my round, in order to 

 spend half an hour with him ; he was so pleasant and agreeable, and 

 had always a plate of strawberries with sugar and cream laid ready 

 for me. Now newly-gathered strawberries with such additions, I 

 am fond of, and I took it therefore as a mark of great civility." 



" No wonder, Doctor; they would form, after a fatiguing 

 morning's work on a warm summer's day, a very palateable refresh- 

 ment. I have myself tasted his strawberries, and can bear witness 

 to their excellence." 



" Yes, they were really very good ; and I looked forward with a 

 schoolboy's longing for Hopkins's garden. Well, my attendance 

 was long he was dyspeptic, and in fact it continued till the fruit was 

 getting out of season ; and so last week I sent my bill, and what do 

 you think was the consequence ? " 



" Nay, Doctor, it is impossible to say something shabby, I 

 should suppose." 



" You shall judge: I received a note stating that Mr. Hopkins 

 was surprised by the sight of my bill, as he had supposed that the 

 strawberries and cream I had devoured would have been a very 

 sufficient equivalent for my useless attendance ; and at the foot was 

 a counter bill of 14 think of that !" 



