Accordingly I proceeded to
inspect the injured knee, which was now nearly well, and to overhaul my
patient generally; and having given him detailed instructions as to his
general conduct, I rose to take my leave.
"And remember," I said as I shook his hand, "no tobacco, no coffee, no
excitement of any kind. Lead a quiet, bovine life."
"That's all very well," he grumbled, "but supposing people come here and
excite me?"
"Disregard them," said I, "and read _Whitaker's Almanack_." And with
this parting advice I passed out into the other room.
Miss Bellingham was seated at the table with a pile of blue-covered
note-books before her, two of which were open, displaying pages closely
written in a small, neat handwriting. She rose as I entered and looked
at me inquiringly.
"I heard you advising my father to read _Whitaker's Almanack_," she
said. "Was that as a curative measure?"
"Entirely," I replied. "I recommended it for its medicinal virtues, as
an antidote to mental excitement."
She smiled faintly. "It certainly is not a highly emotional book," she
said, and then asked: "Have you any other instructions to give?"
"Well, I might give the conventional advice--to maintain a cheerful
outlook and avoid worry; but I don't suppose you would find it very
helpful.
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