“And a mile?”
“Would be almost certainly fatal.”
“Then there is nothing else the matter?”
“No. But if the heart is weak, then everything is weak, and the life is not a sound one.”
“You see, Admiral,” remarked Mr. Metaxa, as the doctor secreted his stethoscope once more in his hat, “my remarks were not entirely uncalled for. I am sorry that the doctor's opinion is not more favorable, but this is a matter of business, and certain obvious precautions must be taken.”
“Of course. Then the matter is at an end.”
“Well, we might even now do business. I am most anxious to be of use to you. How long do you think, doctor, that this gentleman will in all probability live?”
“Well, well, it's rather a delicate question to answer,” said Dr. Proudie, with a show of embarrassment.
“Not a bit, sir. Out with it! I have faced death too often to flinch from it now, though I saw it as near me as you are.”
“Well, well, we must go by averages of course. Shall we say two years? I should think that you have a full two years before you.”