There was a pause, during which the doctor continued his medical examination. To this the patient submitted with a bad grace; but still he did submit.
"We must turn over a new leaf, Sir Roger; indeed we must."
"Bother," said Sir Roger.
"Well, Scatcherd; I must do my duty to you, whether you like it or not."
"That is to say, I am to pay you for trying to frighten me."
"No human nature can stand such shocks as these much longer."
"Winterbones," said the contractor, turning to his clerk, "go down, go down, I say; but don't be out of the way. If you go to the public-house, by G––––, you may stay there for me. When I take a drop,—that is if I ever do, it does not stand in the way of work." So Mr Winterbones, picking up his cup again, and concealing it in some way beneath his coat flap, retreated out of the room, and the two friends were alone.
"Scatcherd," said the doctor, "you have been as near your God, as any man ever was who afterwards ate and drank in this world."
"Have I, now?" said the railway hero, apparently somewhat startled.
"Indeed you have; indeed you have."