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 toleave a mark onus. 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 
ee ee ee Ps 
