“Oh, scat! Out with you!” Becky cried.
Whistling jauntily, Judge Ellis strolled down the walk and turned toward town. He would walk on such a fine day. This visit to the clinic was sentimental nonsense, he told himself . But if it would please Becky....
Dr. Daley, the clinic internist, was waiting for the judge when he arrived. The doctor was a comparatively young man, and he fervently hoped that he would find Judge Ellis in good shape. He knew what a chore it would be to try to convince the eminent citizen of Elmhurst to take any sort of treatment.
Dr. Daley’s heart sank as he saw the older man’s sagging waistline. But he smiled cheerfully and invited the patient into his office.
“This stuff and nonsense,” Judge Ellis snorted, “is a complete waste of time, young man.” He glowered at the doctor. “Why aren’t you taking care of sick people? I’m a well man, as you can tell by looking at me. And right this minute I should be down at City Hall. An important committee meeting is awaiting me.”
Dr. Daley nodded. “You look pretty good, sir,” he admitted. “Now if you’ll take off your coat and shirt, I’ll listen to your heart.”
Grudgingly the Judge obeyed.
The doctor nodded as he listened to the tired old heart. “And now the blood pressure,” he commented as he adjusted the gadget around the Judge’s arm.
After he had been weighed, Judge Ellis put his shirt and coat back on and knotted his tie carefully. Dr. Daley, thinking hard, sat down behind his desk and looked over Judge Ellis’ medical history.
“Of course this is nowhere near a complete examination. I want to have some lab tests made,” the doctor said.