The surgeon looked puzzled.
"Typhus or scarlet, I should say," suggested Jack.
"What is that?" demanded the French doctor, curiously. "Je ne suis pas très fort—I am not very strong in English."
"Then, sir," said Jack, "pray accept my compliments upon your proficiency; it is really very remarkable."
"You are very good to say that," returned the surgeon; "mais—now for our malade—what is malade in English?"
"Patient."
"Patient! Well, I hope that he will justify ze designation. What do you feel?" he added to Mr. Mole.
"Rush of blood to the head," said Mole, thinking this quite a safe symptom to announce.
"Yes, yes—sans doute—no doubt," said the doctor, looking as wise as an owl. "We can make that better for you quick—a little sinapisme."
"That's what you call a mustard plaister, isn't it?" said Harry.