MEDICINE FOR THE DISH-WASHER 19 



said, "you are very clever, and you need not be 

 afraid this is going to be a daily custom for you to 

 carry ducks in a broken basket, it is only this 

 once." Whereat he dried his tears, and went off to 

 his work. 



There was another dish-washer, some years ago, 

 who had also an odd experience. The old grey- 

 beard butler announced to me at lunch one day, 

 that the dish-washer was ill with fever ; but if the 

 mistress would give some medicine, he would soon 

 be able to resume his work. I happened to have 

 none by me, but as the matter was urgent, clean 

 dishes being important, I asked : 



" Can he go to the chemist's do you think, for 

 some physic, if I give him a letter ? I don't know 

 what to write for." (These being my salad days.) 



"Oh yes," he said, "he is quite able to go that 

 short distance." I thought that was much the best 

 way, and then the chemist could give him what was 

 proper. 



I wrote, " Please give the bearer of this a dose 

 of medicine. He says he has fever." I forgot to 

 inquire about him till two days after. Then I said : 



" How is the dish-washer ? " 



