Nobody, however, could state where it originated, but it was
universally admitted that the man from whose lips it was first
heard, was Mr. Query.
Accordingly Dr. Harvey hastened to Mr. Query's house, and demanded
of that gentleman what he meant by circulating such scandal.
"My dear doctor," cried Mr. Query, his face beaming with conscious
innocence, "_I_ haven't been guilty of any mis-statement about you,
I can take my oath. I heard that there was a report of your
drinking, and all I did was to tell people I didn't believe it, nor
know anything about it, and to inquire were it originated. Oh, I
assure you, doctor, I haven't slandered you in any manner."
"You are a poor fool!" exclaimed Dr. Harvey, perplexed and angry.
"If you had gone about town telling everybody that you saw me drunk,
daily, you couldn't have slandered me more effectually than you
have."
"Oh, I beg your pardon," cried Mr. Query, very sad; "but I thought I
was doing you a service!"
"Save me from my friends!" exclaimed the doctor, bitterly. "An
_enemy_ could not have done me as much injury as you have done. But
I now insist on knowing who first mentioned the report to you."
"Oh, I am not at liberty to say that."
"Then I shall hold you responsible for the scandal--for the base
lies you have circulated.
Pages:
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100