"Very anxious, indeed, sir. Dear, dear, you're wet through!"
"It is a bitter night," he said, coughing.
"You may well say that, sir. Bad weather for you to be out, with that nasty cough of yours."
"There are many people worse off than I am, without either fire or food."
"We all have our trials, sir. It's a hard world."
"Indeed, indeed," he said, thinking of the female patient whom he had last visited.
"Where's your overcoat, sir? I'll take it down to the kitchen; it'll dry sooner there." She looked around in vain for it.
"Never mind my overcoat, Mrs. Radcliffe."
"But you had it on when you went out, sir!"
"Did I? Don't trouble about it. It will dry quickly enough where it is."