208 THE FAT OF THE LAND 



Polly, but with me it was, Ta-ta, Williams 

 see you later," and our guest would hobble out 

 on his poor crippled feet, waving his hand gal- 

 lantly, with a voice as cheery as a boy's. 



Another family whom I wish the reader to 

 know well is the Kyrles. For more than twenty- 

 five years we have known no joys or sorrows which 

 they did not feel, and no interests that touched 

 them have failed to leave a mark on us. We could 

 not have been more intimate or better friends 

 had the closest blood tie united us. The acquaint- 

 ance of young married couples had grown into 

 a friendship that was bearing its best fruit at 

 a time when best fruit was most appreciated. 

 We do not consider a pleasure more than half 

 complete until we have told it to Will and 

 Frances Kyrle, for their delight doubles our 

 happiness. 



They were among the earliest of my patients, 

 and they are easily first among our friends. I 

 have watched more than a half-dozen of their 

 children from infancy to adult life, and this 

 alone would be a strong bond ; but in addition 

 to this is the fact that the whole family, from 

 father to youngest child, possess in a wonderful 

 degree that subtle sense of true camaraderie 

 which is as rare as it is charming. 



The Kyrles lived in the city, but they were 

 foot-free, and we could count on having them 

 often. Four Oaks was to be, if we had our way, 

 a country home for them almost as much as for 



