Her coquettish displeasure and the asperity of her accent contrasted so oddly with her vehemently expressed attachment for her husband and extolment of his virtues, that Mrs. Sutton regarded her in speechless amazement.  She submitted to his kiss, without returning it—­even raising her hand pettishly as to repel further endearments.  “I should have died of the blue devils if Aunt Rachel hadn’t, by the merest accident, heard that I was ailing, and driven over, like the Good Samaritan she is, to take pity upon me in my destitution; to pour oil—­not cod-liver—­into my wounds, and wine into my mouth.  She is better than all the men-doctors that were ever created; so if you have brought your bearded Esculapius home with you, you may tell him, with my compliments, that I won’t see him yet awhile.  He was an old beau of mine, and I hope I have too much respect for what I used to be, to let him get a glimpse of me until Dr. Sutton has set me up in better flesh and looks.  She brought me some enchanting jelly—­one of her magical preparations for the amelioration of human misery, and I am to have a bowl of her unparalleled chicken-broth for dinner.  I wish dinner-time were come! the very thought makes me ravenous.  I am to do nothing for a week, but eat, drink, and sleep, at the end of which period I shall be dismissed as thoroughly cured.  So, Mr. Chilton, you can go back to your beloved clients whenever you please!”

To Mrs. Sutton’s apprehension this was an infelicitous introduction of herself to the husband’s toleration.  Certainly, she did not know many men who would have parried the thrusts at themselves with the dexterity he manifested, and acknowledged her merits and kindly offices willingly and gracefully.  He did not apologize for his protracted absence, nor insist upon conveying his physician to the sick-chamber; but he chatted for five minutes or thereabouts upon such topics as he knew would entertain the captious invalid, and finally arose from the bed-side, where he had been sitting, fondling her hot hands, with a good-humored laugh.

“But all the while I am enjoying myself here, the hirsute Galen aforesaid is munching the invisible salad of the solitary in the parlor!  I am to eject him incontinently, am I?  My conscience will not let me withhold the admission, when I do this, that my wife’s judgment in the matter of medical attendants is vastly superior to mine.  While Mrs. Sutton is so good as to remain with you, you are right in thinking that you have need of no other physician.”

Aunt Rachel would have entered a disclaimer, but Rosa spoke before she could open her mouth.

“I didn’t say that, Frederic!  There was never such another impatient and inconsiderate creature upon the globe as yourself.  It would be unpardonably rude in us to send the man away, if he is a charlatan, without letting him see me.  Have him up, by all means, and let us hear what priggish nonsense he has to say.  He will feel the easier when it is done.”