And knock her knees on intervening chairs,

And bump her head on a half open door,

And get there finally all out of breath,

And take the receiver down and say: “Hello?”

The old, old question: “Is the doctor there?”

Comes clearly now to her awakened ear.

Then, tentatively, she must make reply:

“The doctor was called out an hour ago,

But I expect him now at any time.”

Good patrons should be held and not escape