"And what are you going to do about it?"
"Oh, I'll follow the custom of the profession and make you a prescription."
"And about the effect?"
"Possibly it will help you."
"Just at a casual estimate, how long am I to be crippled?"
"That depends."
"Depends on what?"
The doctor laughed. "There's a difference in rheumatism—and in men. If you don't mind, I'll reserve my answer for a day or two."
Markham growled. The doctor went away after writing upon a bit of paper these hieroglyphics:
