“Oh, he wouldn’t be so cruel as that!” she exclaimed. “Show him what the doctor said, Ralph.”
Tucker spread a sheet of paper on the desk before Murray, and the latter read: “This is to certify that I have made a careful examination of Ralph Tucker, and I believe him to be in excellent physical condition. I attach slight importance to the indications of incipient heart trouble, which, with reasonable care and proper treatment, should disappear entirely.” This was signed by a noted specialist.
“And the next,” said Mrs. Tucker.
Thereupon Tucker laid this before Murray: “The heart murmur noted I believe to be due to temporary causes and not to any permanent affection. On the occasion of one examination there were no indications of it at all.” This also was signed by a well-known physician.
“Poor Ralph!” sighed Mrs. Tucker, and Murray felt that the burden of this case was greater than he could bear.
“They don’t agree entirely,” he asserted aggressively.
“No,” admitted Tucker, “but I understand that’s not unusual in such cases.”
“And they don’t agree with your doctor at all,” added Mrs. Tucker. “But, of course, your doctor is right. Poor Ralph!”
“Please don’t do that,” pleaded Murray.
“Poor Ralph!” sighed Mrs. Tucker again. “The doctors don’t think he’ll live more than a lifetime.”