be comfortable presently--faintish still? Soon
put all to rights."

"Tray! Tray! Where's my dog, Mrs. Boxer?"

"Lord, sir, what do you want with your dog now? He is in the back-yard."

"And what business has my dog in the back-yard?" almost screamed the
sufferer, in accents that denoted no diminution of vigour. "I thought
as soon as my back was turned my dog would be ill-used! Why did I go
without my dog? Let in my dog directly, Mrs. Boxer!"

"All right, you see, sir," said the apothecary, turning to Beaufort--"no
cause for alarm--very comforting that little passion--does him
good--sets one's mind easy. How did it happen? Ah, I understand! knocked
down--might have been worse. Your groom (sharp fellow!) explained in a
trice, sir. Thought it was my old friend here by the description. Worthy
man--settled here a many year--very odd-eccentric (this in a whisper).
Came off instantly: just at dinner--cold lamb and salad. 'Mrs. Perkins,'
says I, 'if any one calls for me, I shall be at No. 4, Prospect Place.'
Your servant observed the address, sir. Oh, very sharp fellow! See how
the old gentleman takes to his dog--fine little dog--what a stump of a
tail! Deal of practice--expect two accouchements every hour. Hot weather
for childbirth. So says I to Mrs. Perkins, 'If Mrs. Plummer is taken, or
Mrs. Everat, or if old Mr. Grub has another fit, send off at once to No.
4. Medical men should be always in the way-that's my maxim. Now, sir,
where do you feel the pain?"

"In my ears, sir."

"Bless me, that looks bad. How long have you felt it?"

"Ever since you have been in the room."

"Oh! I take. Ha! ha!--very eccentric--very!" muttered the apothecary,
a little disconcerted. "Well, let him lie down, ma'am. I'll send him a
little quieting draught to be taken directly--pill at night, aperient
in the morning. If wanted, send for me--always to be found. Bless me,
that's my boy Bob's ring. Please to open the door, ma' am. Know his
ring--very peculiar knack of his own. Lay ten to one it is Mrs. Plummer,
or perhaps. Mrs. Everat--her ninth child in eight years--in the grocery
line. A woman in a thousand, sir!"

Here a thin boy, with very short coat-sleeves, and very large hands,
burst into the room with his mouth open. "Sir--Mr. Perkins--sir!"

"I know--I know-coming. Mrs. Plummer or Mrs. Everat?"

"No, sir; it be the poor lady at Mrs. Lacy's; she be taken desperate.
Mrs. Lacy's girl has just been over to the shop, and made me run h