"You'd better lock the door," said Mr. Kenyon nervously.
The doctor did so.
"Now," said he, "if you will follow me downstairs we will attend to the business part of the matter."
"Willingly," said Kenyon.
The business referred to consisted of the payment of three months' board in advance.
"Now, Dr. Fox," said his new patron, "you may rely upon punctual payment of your bills. On your part, I depend on your safe custody of my wife as long as her mind remains unsound."
"And that will be a long time, I fancy," said the doctor, laughing.
Mr. Kenyon appreciated the joke, and laughed too.
"I must leave you now," he said. "I hope you won't have much trouble with her."
"Oh, have no anxiety on that score," said the doctor nonchalantly. "I am used to such cases; I know how to manage."