That plan Koko intended to broach to Jim after dinner. But Fate willed otherwise.
The meal progressed quietly, the presence of a stranger possibly having a restraining influence on the shrewish outbursts of Miss H. R. Maybury, the cheeky utterances of Master Frank, and the voluble rebukes of Mrs Maybury. Jim was seated between Miss Bird and Mr Cleave, the two girls, with Frank and Koko, facing him. Dora, as a matter of fact, sat immediately opposite Jim.
"Well, Dr Mortimer," presently observed Mr Maybury, "you have not come through your first day's work unscathed, I see."
For Mr Maybury felt sure that Jim would be able to give a satisfactory account of the proceedings.
Miss Bird grunted; Mr Cleave cast a glassy eye on the broccoli. Both waited for Jim's defence.
Jim laughed. "No," he said, "I met a Hooligan."
"Dear me! So soon!"
"I thought it advisable, in view of the possibility of my being some time in the district, to take a strong line from the beginning. So I led off by tackling what turned out to be the worst man of the lot."
"You have shown them that you are not a person to be trifled with?" suggested Mr Maybury, approvingly.
"That was my idea. But you may be interested to hear that another man has been put in permanent charge of the surgery----"