The doctor, after scolding his patient for disobeying orders, gave the said patient a pretty thorough examination.
“You are in better shape than you deserve to be,” he said, “but you are not out of the woods yet. What you need is to gain strength, and that means a few days' rest and quiet and good food. If your friends, the Halls, were at their cottage at the Centre I'd take you there, Mr. Bangs, but they're not. I would take you over to my house, but my wife's sister and her children are with us and I haven't any place to put you.”
Galusha, who had been fidgeting in his chair, interrupted. “Now, Doctor Powers,” he begged, “please don't think of such a thing. I am quite well enough to travel.”
“Excuse me, but you are not.”
“But you said yourself you would take me to Wellmouth if the Halls were there.”
“I did, but they're not there.”
“I know, but there is a hotel there, Mr.—ah—Pulcifer said so.”
The doctor and Miss Phipps looked at each other.
“He said there was a hotel there,” went on Galusha. “Now if you would be so kind as to—ah—take me to that hotel—”
Dr. Powers rubbed his chin.