"The locum is a blasted young pup," responded Doctor Brink.
"Heavens!" cried his daughter, "whatever is the matter with _this_ locum?"
"He's giving 'em _real drugs_," said the doctor, with gloom.
"What if he is?" argued James; "I don't suppose it'll kill 'em."
"Still," mused the doctor, "when people aren't used to that sort of damfoolery---- I don't want my statistics mucked up. Besides, there's the expense. And----"
"Oh, blow the 'ands,'" replied his little daughter. "You've engaged the man, and you've got to keep him. And you've got to pay him. He's come here prepared to do a week's work, so for goodness sake let him do it. I'm sure he's willing enough, at any rate."
"Willing?" repeated the doctor; "my dear girl, he is the ultimate thing in eagerness. I----"
But the doctor's further observations on this head were interrupted by the entry of the subject of them--a young gentleman in correct dress, with fair hair and a face, who was introduced to me as Doctor Tewksbury.
"I am sorry to say, Doctor," remarked this young man, "that that old woman in Mulberry Buildings is dead."
"What!" cried Doctor Brink. "Poor old Mrs. Thacker? I'm sorry. She was a nice old thing."
"Yes," assented Doctor Tewksbury, "an interesting old hag--such marked symptoms. I wish I'd exhibited bromide."
"It wouldn't have made any difference," said Doctor Brink.
"Of course not," responded Doctor Tewksbury. "She was quite hopeless; but still bromide was clearly indicated. Hullo--foot hurting?"
"Not--not more than usual," answered Doctor Brink. "My back was tickling. That's all. Any news?"
"Nothin' particular," replied the locum, "exceptin' a woman in Burbidge Street. Mrs. Groat, I think the name is. Had a sort of row with her. It's the daughter's case really--a confinement; but when I got there the old cow came to the door and she wouldn't let me in. Said her daughter had engaged with you, and she didn't want no blasted schoolboys. She was rather offensive."
"After all," said Doctor Brink, rising clumsily to his feet and holding hard to all of us, "she _did_ engage with me. It's a damnable nuisance; but I'll have to go round."
"Oh, rot," cried the locum. "Let the old fool rip."
"Wait till Beaver catches you, that's all," observed his daughter.