B. B. Ah !  Are they?  Are they?  Dear me!

Mrs Dubedat.  I was never accustomed to lock things up.  And I missed so many small sums.  At last a dreadful thing happened.  I missed a five-pound note.  It was traced to the housemaid; and she actually said Louis had given it to her.  And he wouldnt let me do anything:  he is so sensitive that these things drive him mad.

B. B. Ah—­hm—­ha—­yes—­say no more, Mrs. Dubedat:  you shall not move.  If the mountain will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet must come to the mountain.  Now I must be off.  I will write and make an appointment.  We shall begin stimulating the phagocytes on—­on—­ probably on Tuesday next; but I will let you know.  Depend on me; dont fret; eat regularly; sleep well; keep your spirits up; keep the patient cheerful; hope for the best; no tonic like a charming woman; no medicine like cheerfulness; no resource like science; goodbye, good-bye, good-bye. [Having shaken hands—­she being too overwhelmed to speak—­he goes out, stopping to say to Ridgeon] On Tuesday morning send me down a tube of some really stiff anti-toxin.  Any kind will do.  Dont forget.  Good-bye, Colly. [He goes out.]

Ridgeon.  You look quite discouraged again. [She is almost in tears].  What’s the matter?  Are you disappointed?

Mrs Dubedat.  I know I ought to be very grateful.  Believe me, I am very grateful.  But—­but—­

Ridgeon.  Well?

hills Dubedat.  I had set my heart your curing Louis.

Ridgeon.  Well, Sir Ralph Bloomfield Bonington—­

Mrs Dubedat.  Yes, I know, I know.  It is a great privilege to have him.  But oh, I wish it had been you.  I know it’s unreasonable; I cant explain; but I had such a strong instinct that you would cure him.  I dont I cant feel the same about Sir Ralph.  You promised me.  Why did you give Louis up?

Ridgeon.  I explained to you.  I cannot take another case.

Mrs Dubedat.  But at Richmond?

Ridgeon.  At Richmond I thought I could make room for one more case.  But my old friend Dr Blenkinsop claimed that place.  His lung is attacked.

Mrs Dubedat [attaching no importance whatever to Blenkinsop] Do you mean that elderly man—­that rather—­

Ridgeon [sternly] I mean the gentleman that dined with us:  an excellent and honest man, whose life is as valuable as anyone else’s.  I have arranged that I shall take his case, and that Sir Ralph Bloomfield Bonington shall take Mr Dubedat’s.

Mrs Dubedat [turning indignantly on him] I see what it is.  Oh! it is envious, mean, cruel.  And I thought that you would be above such a thing.

Ridgeon.  What do you mean?

Mrs Dubedat.  Oh, do you think I dont know? do you think it has never happened before?  Why does everybody turn against him?  Can you not forgive him for being superior to you? for being cleverer? for being braver? for being a great artist?