I shall
omit names, since they are unessential.
"Among my clients was an old gentleman, over seventy years of age,
but still erect and vigorous. One morning I received a letter
requesting me to call at his house. I found him in bed feeling all
tired out. He said he had never had a doctor in his life.
"The doctor, here, assures me that those people who never need a
doctor until they are well advanced in life are not likely to require
a physician's services more than once. The next call is for the
undertaker."
"That's so," broke in Jack; "it's the person who is continually
calling upon a doctor for every little ailment who lives to an old
age, for instead of letting disease creep upon him, he calls for
medical assistance as soon as he experiences any derangement of his
physical system. If all the people would follow this plan, it would
increase the longevity of the human race."
"And materially increase the income of the medical profession," added
Quincy.
"It proved to be the old gentleman's first and last sickness. In
order that you may fully understand the wonderful event which took
place the night he died, I shall have to give you a history of his
family."
Quincy consulted his watch. "It is now but a few minutes past seven.
I will give you until midnight, my usual time for retiring."
"I have an engagement at ten or thereabouts," said Jack, "but it's a
matter of life instead of death.
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