Then the doctor walked aside with the landlady, who had been watching the examination of the patient with anxious eyes. She said:
'Do you think it's anything very dangerous? Is it contagious? Had I better send her to the hospital?'
'No, I should scarcely think it worth while doing that; she will be well in a week, that is to say if she is properly looked after. She's suffering from acute congestion of the liver, brought on by—'
'By drink,' said Mrs. White. 'I suspected as much.'
'You've too much to do, Mrs. White, with all your children, to give up your time to nursing her; I shall send someone round as soon as possible, but, in the meantime, will you see that her diet is regulated to half a cup of beef-tea, every hour or so. If she complains of thirst, let her have some milk to drink, and you may mix a little brandy with it. To-night I shall send round a sleeping-draught.'
'You're sure, doctor, there is nothing catching, for you know that, with all my children in the house——'
'You need not be alarmed, Mrs. White.'
'But do you think, doctor, it will be an expensive illness? for I know very little about her circumstances.'
'I expect she'll be all right in a week or ten days, but what I fear for is her future. I've had a good deal of experience in such matters, and I've never known a case of a woman who cured herself of the vice of intemperance. A man sometimes, a woman never.'
The landlady sighed and referred to all she had gone through during poor Mr. White's lifetime; the doctor spoke confidingly of a lady who was at present under his charge; and, apparently overcome with pity for suffering humanity, they descended the staircase together. On the doorstep the conversation was continued.