It was some time afterwards, when he had advanced to the dignity of an easy-chair and a leg-rest, that some of the points of that conversation were touched on again. It was he who began.
"Dr Hughes."
"Doctor Palliser?"
The emphasis which she laid upon the "Doctor" was most pronounced.
"Pardon me, I am not a doctor, I am a mere F.R.C.S."
"Is it necessary that you should always 'Doctor' me?"
"Pardon me again. I remember an occasion when you went a little out of your way to make it plain to me that you had not proceeded to your M.D. degree for nothing."
"You needn't always flaunt that in my face."
"I won't, since you appear to have changed your mind--until you change it again." She looked at him, with a gleam in her eyes which was half laughter, half something else. He went on: "At the same time, since what I have to say to you is strictly professional, I don't think that, on this occasion, the 'Doctor' Hughes will be out of place. You once said to me that you had some vague intention of not remaining in Market Hinton."
"It wasn't a vague intention then; it is less vague now. I am going."