"Can't say rightly as I 'ave," admitted the sufferer.
"It is a curious sort of complaint," the doctor explained; "attacks a man very often in cases like this. Quite small things aggravate it, too; talkative friends, for example."
"Will you make the bill out, Doctor?" requested the victim of this strange ailment.
"No need for a bill, is there?" said the doctor. "I can tell you what you owe me out of hand. One visit to your house, one consultation here: total, eighteenpence."
"I'd prefer a proper invoice, Doctor," admitted the maimed one. "And look 'ere, ole man, make it out fur a sovereign, will ye? I ... I want to show it to my firm."
"With pleasure," said the doctor. "Have you brought the sovereign with you?"
"Eh?" snapped the man.
"I asked if you had brought the sovereign," repeated the doctor. "If your firm is prepared to pay me a sovereign for my services to you, I shall, of course, be delighted to make out a bill for that amount."
"But you on'y seed me twice," protested the visitor.
"That is what I wish to point out. My proper fees amount to eighteen pence. But if you want to pay me a p——"