and sometimes oftener, I took supper
with them, and discussed with Mrs. Strong the important questions of our
descent from the lost Tribes and whether or no the lupus from which she
suffered was the result of vaccination in infancy.

Owing to a press of patients, to whom I was obliged to attend, I was not
able to receive Mr. Strong for nearly half an hour.

"Things are a bit different from what they used to be, doctor," he said
as he entered the room looking much the same as ever, with the exception
that now even his last hairs had gone, leaving him completely bald,
"there's six more of them waiting there, and all except one can pay a
fee. Yes, the luck has turned for you since you were called in to attend
cobbler Samuels' children, and you haven't seen the top of it yet, I can
tell you. Now, what do you think I have come to see you about?"

"Can't say. I give it up."

"Then I will tell you. You saw in yesterday's paper that old brewer
Hicks, the member for Dunchester, has been raised to the peerage. I
understand he told the Government that if they kept him waiting any
longer he would stop his subscription to the party funds, and as that's
5000 pounds a year, they gave in, believing the seat to be a safe one.
But that's just where they make their mistake, for if we get the right
man the Rads will win."

"And who is the right man?"

"James Therne, Esq., M.D.," he answered quietly.

"What on earth do you mean?" I asked. "How can I afford to spend from
1000 to 2000 pounds upon a contested election, and as much more a year
in subscriptions and keeping up the position if I should chance to be
returned? And how, in the name of fortune, can I be both a practising
physician and a member of Parliament?"

"I'll tell you, doctor, for, ever since your name was put forward by
the Liberal Council yesterday, I have seen these difficulties and been
thinking them out. Look here, you are still young, handsome, clever,
and a capital speaker with a popular audience. Also you are very
hard-working and would rise. But you've no money, and only what you
earn at your profession to live on, which, if you were a member of
Parliament, you couldn't continue to earn. Well, such a man as you are
is wanted and so he must be paid for."

"No, no," I said, "I am not going to be the slave of a Radical Five
Hundred, bound to do what they tell me and vote as they like; I'd rather
stick to my own trade, thank you."

"Don't you be in a hurry, yo