“No, no; impossible.”
“Because of leaving your practice?”
“Oh no; I could arrange that by having a locum tenens—‘local demon’ as the servant-girl in Punch called him.”
“Then what objection is there?”
“Why, it’s just as if I had been planning a pleasure-trip for myself at your expense.”
“That’s absurd, Instow, and an insult to an old friend. Look here, if you will come I shall look upon it as conferring a great favour upon us. We shall both be under a greater obligation to you than ever.”
“I say, don’t tempt me, Meadows. I’m not a bad doctor, but I’m a very weak man.”
“But I will tempt you,” cried Sir John eagerly. “Come, you can’t let your old friend go without a companion, and stop here at home, knowing that there will be times when you could help Jack there on his way to health and strength.”
“No, I can’t—can I?” said the doctor, hesitating. “But no, no, it wouldn’t do.”
“Here, Jack, come and help me press him to go with us.”