"Hold your tongue! and pray be quiet!" said the negro, in a tone of command.

"To be sure I will, M. le Médécin."

"His pulse is becoming regular—very well, indeed—excellent—"

"And that poor friend of M. Rodolph's,—body and bones of me!—when he comes to know that—But, then, luckily—"

"Silence! I say."

"Certainly, M. le Docteur."

"And sit down."

"But, M. le—"

"Sit down, I tell you! You disturb me, twisting and fidgeting about in that manner,—you distract my attention. Come, sit down at once, and keep still."

"But, doctor, don't you perceive I am as dirty as a pile of floating wood just going to be unloaded?—all slime and wet, you see. I should spoil the furniture."