“Goodness! doctor, have you been upset?” she asked.
Doctor Barnabé, before answering, glanced at the company around him, and however plain and naïve his countenance might be, it was impossible for him not to detect the hilarity caused by his arrival. He answered tranquilly,
“I was not upset. A poor wagoner had fallen under the wheels of his car, I was passing by and assisted him.”
And the doctor made toward the chair which had been left empty for him. He took his napkin, unfolded it, passed one end through the button-hole of his coat, and spread the rest over his breast and knees.
At this début, numerous smiles played on the lips of the guests, and some titters broke the silence. This time the doctor did not raise his eyes, perchance did not notice.
“Are there many sick in the village?” said Madame de Moncar, whilst the new comer was being helped.
“Yes, madame, many.”
“The country, then, is unhealthy?”
“No, madame.”
“But from what do these diseases proceed, then?”