alarmed, my dear, but I think I had better speak to Mr Sawyer, alone,

for a moment. Only for one moment.'

Bob,' said Mr Allen, 'will you take my aunt into the surgery?'

'Certainly,' responded Bob, in a most professional voice. 'Step this

way, my dear ma'am. Don't be frightened, ma'am. We shall be able to

set you to rights in a very short time, I have no doubt, ma'am. Here,

my dear ma'am. Now then!' With this, Mr Bob Sawyer having handed

the old lady to a chair, shut the door, drew another chair close to her,

and waited to hear detailed the symptoms of some disorder from

which he saw in perspective a long train of profits and advantages.

The first thing the old lady did, was to shake her head a great many

times, and began to cry.

Nervous,' said Bob Sawyer complacently. 'Camphor-julep and water

three times a day, and composing draught at night.'

'I don't know how to begin, Mr Sawyer,' said the old lady. 'It is so very

painful and distressing.'

'You need not begin, ma'am,' rejoined Mr Bob Sawyer. 'I can anticipate

all you would say. The head is in fault.'

'I should be very sorry to think it was the heart,' said the old lady,

with a slight groan.

Not the slightest danger of that, ma'am,' replied Bob Sawyer. 'The

stomach is the primary cause.'

'Mr Sawyer!' exclaimed the old lady, starting.

Not the least doubt of it, ma'am,' rejoined Bob, looking wondrous

wise. 'Medicine, in time, my dear ma'am, would have prevented it all.'

'Mr Sawyer,' said the old lady, more flurried than before, 'this conduct

is either great impertinence to one in my situation, Sir, or it arises

from your not understanding the object of my visit. If it had been in

the power of medicine, or any foresight I could have used, to prevent

what has occurred, I should certainly have done so. I had better see

my nephew at once,' said the old lady, twirling her reticule

indignantly, and rising as she spoke.

'Stop a moment, ma'am,' said Bob Sawyer; 'I'm afraid I have not

understood you. What IS the matter, ma'am?'

'My niece, Mr Sawyer,' said the old lady: 'your friend's sister.'

The Pickwick Papers