United States or Republic of the Congo ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Mr Butler failed to display the hearty pleasure at this announcement that the worthy Mrs Gabbon had naturally expected. Aloud he merely said, “Indeed,” politely, but with no unusual interest. Within himself he reflected, “The deuce take Mr John Duggs! However, I want the rooms, and a man must risk something.”
“Well,” he continued with the same gravity, “I may unfortunately have occasion to consult a doctor——” “There’s Dr Smith,” interrupted Mrs Gabbon, her equanimity quite restored by his ecclesiastical tone and the mention of ailments; “’e attended my poor dear ’usband hall through his last illness; an huncommon clever doctor, sir, as I ought to know, sir, bein’——”
Mrs Gabbon had evidently “’eard sommat” from Mr Duggs, and treated him to little of her society. The boredom became so excessive that he decided he must make a move soon, however rash it was. The only active step he took, and indeed the only step he saw his way to take, was a call on Dr Twiddel’s locum. But luck seemed to run dead against him.
Well, one never knows what’s be’ind a ’appy hexterior, does one, sir?” “No, Mrs Gabbon,” replied Mr Bunker, solemnly; “one never knows what even a clergyman’s coat conceals.” “That’s very true, sir. In the midst of life we are in——” “Lumbago,” interposed Mr Bunker. Mrs Gabbon looked a trifle startled.
In fact at this point Mrs Gabbon showed such a tendency to turn the conversation back to the merits of Dr Smith and the precise nature of Mr Bunker’s ailment, that her lodger, in despair, requested her to bring up a cup of tea as speedily as possible. “Before the middle of November,” he said to himself. “It is certainly a curious coincidence.”
He looked carefully out of his sitting-room window, but the doctor’s blinds were still down, and he saw no one coming or going about the house; so he began his inquiries by calling up his landlady. “I have been troubled with lumbago, Mrs Gabbon,” he began. “Dearie me, sir,” said Mrs Gabbon, “I’m sorry to ’ear that; you that looks so ’ealthy too!
“The same,” replied Mr Bunker, smiling affably. “I,” continued his visitor, advancing with more confidence, “am Mr Duggs. I am dwelling at present in the apartment immediately above you, and hearing of the arrival of a fellow-clergyman, through my worthy friend Mrs Gabbon, I have taken the liberty of calling.
“No doubt an excellent man, Mrs Gabbon; but I should like to know of one as near at hand as possible. Now I see the name of a Dr Twiddel——” “I wouldn’t recommend ’im, sir,” said Mrs Gabbon, pursing her mouth. “Indeed? Why not?” “’E attended Mrs Brown’s servant-girl, sir,—she bein’ the lady as has the ’ouse next door,—and what he give ’er didn’t do no good. Mrs Brown tell me ’erself.”
“Still, in an emergency——” “Besides which, he ain’t at ’ome, sir.” “Where has he gone?” “Abroad, they do say, sir; though I don’t rightly know much about ’im.” “Has he been away long?” Mrs Gabbon considered. “It must ’ave bin before the middle of November he went, sir.” “Ha!” exclaimed Mr Bunker, keenly, though apparently more to himself than his landlady. “I beg your pardon, sir?”
Word Of The Day