e. Presently
the Doctor, who was a little thin man, came bustling across the street,
and was about, with a familiar "Good evening," to pass by the Corporal,
when that worthy, dropping his pipe, said respectfully, "Beg pardon,
Sir--want to speak to you--a little favour. Will your honour walk in the
back-parlour?"

"Oh! another patient," thought the Doctor; "these soldiers are careless
fellows--often get into scrapes. Yes, friend, I'm at your service."

The Corporal showed the man of phials into the back-parlour, and,
hemming thrice, looked sheepish, as if in doubt how to begin. It was the
Doctor's business to encourage the bashful.

"Well, my good man," said he, brushing off, with the arm of his coat,
some dust that had settled on his inexpressibles, "so you want to
consult me?"

"Indeed, your honour, I do; but--feel a little awkward in doing so--a
stranger and all."

"Pooh!--medical men are never strangers. I am the friend of every man
who requires my assistance."

"Augh!--and I do require your honour's assistance very sadly."

"Well--well--speak out. Any thing of long standing?"

"Why, only since we have been here, Sir."

"Oh, that's all! Well."

"Your honour's so good--that--won't scruple in telling you all. You
sees as how we were robbed--master at least was--had some little in my
pockets--but we poor servants are never too rich. You seems such a
kind gentleman--so attentive to master--though you must have felt how
disinterested it was to 'tend a man what had been robbed--that I have no
hesitation in making bold to ask you to lend us a few guineas, just to
help us out with the bill here,--bother!"

"Fellow!" said the Doctor, rising, "I don't know what you mean; but
I'd have you to learn that I am not to be cheated out of my time and
property. I shall insist upon being paid my bill instantly, before I
dress your master's wound once more."

"Augh!" said the Corporal, who was delighted to find the Doctor come
so immediately into the snare;--"won't be so cruel surely,--why, you'll
leave us without a shiner to pay my host here."

"Nonsense!--Your master, if he's a gentleman, can write home for money."

"Ah, Sir, all very well to say so;--but, between you and me and the
bed-post--young master's quarrelled with old master--old master won't
give him a rap,--so I'm sure, since your honour's a friend to every man
who requires your assistance--noble saying, Sir!--you won't refuse us
a few guineas;--and as for