ady would talk of her interview with Cullingworth; and I could well
understand how the village from which she came would send fresh recruits
to block up his waiting rooms.

Another portly person was seized by the two armholes of his waistcoat,
just as he was opening his mouth to explain his symptoms, and was rushed
backward down the passage, down the stairs, and finally into the street,
to the immense delight of the assembled patients, "You eat too much,
drink too much, and sleep too much," Cullingworth roared after him.
"Knock down a policeman, and come again when they let you out." Another
patient complained of a "sinking feeling." "My dear," said he, "take
your medicine; and if that does no good, swallow the cork, for there is
nothing better when you are sinking."

As far as I could judge, the bulk of the patients looked upon a morning
at Cullingworth's as a most enthralling public entertainment, tempered
only by a thrill lest it should be their turn next to be made an
exhibition of.

Well, with half-an-hour for lunch, this extraordinary business went
on till a quarter to four in the afternoon. When the last patient had
departed, Cullingworth led the way into the dispensary, where all the
fees had been arranged upon the counter in the order of their value.
There were seventeen half-sovereigns, seventy-three shillings, and
forty-six florins; or thirty-two pounds eight and sixpence in all.
Cullingworth counted it up, and then mixing the gold and silver into
one heap, he sat running his fingers through it and playing with it.
Finally, he raked it into the canvas bag which I had seen the night
before, and lashed the neck up with a boot-lace.

We walked home, and that walk struck me as the most extraordinary part
of all that extraordinary day. Cullingworth paraded slowly through the
principal streets with his canvas bag, full of money, outstretched at
the full length of his arm. His wife and I walked on either side,
like two acolytes supporting a priest, and so we made our way solemnly
homewards the people stopping to see us pass.

"I always make a point of walking through the doctor's quarter," said
Cullingworth. "We are passing through it now. They all come to their
windows and gnash their teeth and dance until I am out of sight."

"Why should you quarrel with them? What is the matter with them?" I
asked.

"Pooh! what's the use of being mealy-mouthed about it?" said he. "We
are all trying to cut each other's thr