‘Well, old fellow, I’m glad to see you. Will you come in and have a chat?’
‘Just what I should like,’ answered Marston; ‘especially if there’s anything to eat with the chat.’
‘Certainly, my dear boy. Come along.’
The doctor pushed his gate open and walked in, followed by Marston. As they entered the house the servant came running to the doctor to tell him of the pertinacious shabby gentleman’s visit. The look of disgust on her face when she saw the shabby gentleman in the hall, was intense. She tossed her head, muttered, ‘Well, I’m sure!’ and rushed downstairs to the kitchen to protect the spoons and forks.
‘And so you’ve come back again, Ned?’ said Dr. Birnie, as, a few minutes later, he sat in his library with the shabby gentleman.
‘Yes, I have. But pleasure before business, please.’
Mr. Marston was enjoying some cold meat and pickles, which the servant had been ordered to bring him up, much to her disgust.
When he had finished he leaned back in the chair and fetched a deep breath.
‘By Jove, Birnie,’ he said, ‘that’s the first good meal I’ve made for a month!’
‘Can I order a little more for you?’