"Yes."
"You are a real treasure, John Smithers. I'm glad you called. You've been fifteen minutes in the room. What is your pulse?"
"Seventy-three."
"Thank you. Can you read a clinical thermometer?"
"Yes."
"On the ledge of the telephone, where the paper is, you will find a tube. Got it? There's a thermometer inside. Please take it out, and read it carefully."
"Ninety-seven," said the Major.
"Thank you. I had no idea the army was so intelligent. How the papers do deceive us! Now put the thermometer under your tongue for two minutes, and then let me know what it registers."
"Ninety-nine," came the eventual response.