"Ah! Charity as well as Beauty; the perfect combination."
The Doctor's pomposity always amused Esmé. "And what does Science so far from its placid haunts?" she mocked. "Are you scattering the blessings of Certina amongst a grateful proletariat?"
"Not exactly. I'm down here on some other business."
"Well, I won't keep you from it, Dr. Surtaine. Good-bye."
The swinging doors of a saloon opened almost upon her, and a short, broad-shouldered foreigner, in a ruffled-up silk hat, bumped into her lightly and apologized. He jogged up to Dr. Surtaine.
"Hello, De Vito," said Dr. Surtaine.
"At the service of my distinguish' confrère," said the squat Italian. "Am I require at the factory?"
"No. I've come to look into this sickness. Where is it?"
"The opposite eemediate block."
Dr. Surtaine eyed with disfavor the festering tenement indicated. "New cases?"