“I do not profess to understand much of such matters; but I should presume that you would give him tonics. What will you give him to take—bark?”
“No: something to make him bite.”
“Well, what?”
“Nothing!”
“Nothing?”
“Ah, you are like the rest of the clever people, Meadows. You think a doctor is of no good unless he gives you pills and draughts. But don’t be alarmed, Jack, boy. I am not going to give you either.”
“What then?”
“Nothing, I tell you. Yes, I am; fresh air—fresh water.”
“Yes; and then?”
“More fresh air, and more fresh water. Look here, Meadows; food is the best medicine for his case—good, wholesome food, and plenty of it as soon as he can digest. I want to hear him say, ‘What’s for dinner to-day?’ That’s a fine sign of a boy being in good health.”