"I saw him in Church on Sunday. A rather striking-looking man. One of your patients?"
"Well, not precisely. Hardly a patient, in the proper sense. He runs down here for rest and change, once in a while, and I prescribe for him if needful. A thoroughly nice fellow. Rich, too, if a man may be accounted rich because he has more money than he wants for himself. He is one of the best men that I ever came across; simple and true-hearted as a child; not an atom of nonsense about him. I've known him for years,—used to be a London bookseller in a large way. He rose to that from small beginnings; and I should think there never was a time when he wasn't one of 'Nature's gentlemen.' He'd be that if he were driving a plough."
"In business now?"
"No; he gave up, on account of certain symptoms of head-weakness. He had been working too hard, and was suffering from it; and he was able to retire on a small competency. Then he came in unexpectedly for a fortune from a distant cousin,—what, at least, was a fortune for him, with his simple tastes. So he took to spending time and money in philanthropic directions, and is one of the busiest people I know. Gets done up once in a way, and comes down here."
"Generous, I suppose?"
"After his own fashion. Odd, rather, in his way of doing good. If you beg him for some pet object, ten to one he'll refuse to give a penny; and then, perhaps, for a thing you don't count half so important he'll hand over twenty pounds. I tried to interest him in your lifeboat scheme last time he was here, and he showed no more concern than if I had been speaking about a pop-gun."
"When was that?"
"He has been twice before. First time he stayed a week; last time only three or four days. That was just about when we had that severe storm, and the two bodies were washed up. Yes,—just then. This time he means to stay longer; told me yesterday, he thought of taking a month off work. I don't know why, for he seems well; but I am glad, for he is pleasant in the house."
The Vicar was deep in thought, "Time of that Storm," he murmured. "Ah! When somebody gave the ninety pounds."
The doctor's lips took a queer set, and the Vicar laughed slightly.