Her father, in
a perverse and reckless mood, took Martha's advice. An hour
later Dr. Charlton was summoned, and had he not arrived
promptly----
``Another fifteen or twenty minutes,'' said he to the old man
when he had him out of immediate danger, ``and I'd have had
nothing to do but sign a certificate of natural death.''
``Murder would have been nearer the truth,'' said Martin feebly.
``That there fool Martha!''
``Come out from behind that petticoat!'' cried Charlton.
``Didn't I spend the best part of three days in giving you the
correct ideas as to health and disease --in showing you that ALL
disease comes from indigestion-- ALL disease, from falling hair
and sore eyes to weak ankles and corns? And didn't I convince
you that you could eat only the things I told you about?''
``Don't hit a man when he's down,'' groaned Hastings.
``If I don't, you'll do the same idiotic trick again when I get
you up--if I get you up.''
Hastings looked quickly at him. This was the first time Charlton
had ever expressed a doubt about his living. ``Do you mean
that?'' he said hoarsely. ``Or are you just trying to scare
me?''
``Both,'' said Charlton. ``I'll do my best, but I can't promise.
I've lost confidence in you. No wonder doctors, after they've
been in practice a few years, stop talking food and digestion to
their patients. I've never been able to convince a single human
being that appetite is not the sign of health, and yielding to it
the way to health.
Pages:
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311