“As you do?” said Mrs Doctor, smiling.
“As I do? Oh, I’m the doctor, and here is every one getting his or her liver out of order during my absence! My hands are terribly full just now; but we shall soon settle down. How is the church getting on, Arthur?”
“Slowly, my dear Harry,” said the Reverend Arthur, in his quiet way. “They are making the improvements I suggested. Mr Perowne subscribed handsomely, and Mr Harley is supplying more labour; but I’m afraid I was rather negligent this morning, for I strolled away towards the woods.”
“Jungle, my dear fellow, jungle! but don’t go again without me; I’m more at home here than you.”
“But the woods—I mean jungle—looked so beautiful; surely there is nothing to fear.”
“Not much—with care,” replied the doctor, “but still there are dangers—fever, sunstroke, tigers, crocodiles, poisonous serpents, venomous insects and leeches.”
“Goodness gracious!” ejaculated Mrs Doctor. “Arthur, you are on no account to go again!”
“But, my dear Mary—” said the chaplain, meekly.
“Now, don’t argue, Arthur. I say you are on no account to go again!”
“But really, my dear Mary—”