Ber. But it is not what your daughter requires, and we have a more suitable match for her.
Arg. Yes; but this one is more suitable for me.
Ber. But does she marry a husband for herself or for you, brother?
Arg. He must do both for her and for me, brother; and I wish to take into my family people of whom I have need.
Ber. So that, if your little girl were old enough, you would give her to an apothecary?
Arg. Why not?
Ber. Is it possible that you should always be so infatuated with your apothecaries and doctors, and be so determined to be ill, in spite of men and nature?
Arg. What do you mean by that, brother?
Ber. I mean, brother, that I know of no man less sick than you, and that I should be quite satisfied with a constitution no worse than yours. One great proof that you are well, and that you have a body perfectly well made, is that with all the pains you have taken, you have failed as yet in injuring the soundness of your constitution, and that you have not died of all the medicine they have made you swallow.
Arg. But are you aware, brother, that it is these medicines which keep me in good health? Mr. Purgon says that I should go off if he were but three days without taking care of me.