Dr. I mean for her sake, you know.

Mrs. N. You needn’t palaver. What ails her?

Dr. (Mysteriously.) A very strange case, madam. Very strange. It would baffle the skill of a young practitioner. The eye of science madam—

Mrs. N. I ’low it takes the eye o’ science to see through a grindstone when there aint no hole in it.

Dr. (Pleased.) Exactly! I’ve had in my lifetime just three such cases, all since la grippe came. I may say, in fact, that I have discovered a new disease.

Mrs. N. Doctor Gagg, you are a wise man. (He bows and looks puzzled.)

Dr. A compliment madam?

Mrs. N. Nonsense! Did you smell her breath?

Dr. (Surprised.) I, no indeed! Why should I?

Mrs. N. You’ve made a fool of yourself. She’s drunk, that’s all!