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bet that evening was one of the brightest； and the next morning the darkest；
of his life。
〃It's wonderful how bravely and cheerily a woman can face a crushing
blow。 It is different with men。 A man can stand it without complaining；
but it knocks him dazed and silly all the same。 But the woman does not
lose her wits any more than she does her courage。 Now； I had a case only
a few weeks ago which would show you what I mean。 A gentleman
consulted me about his wife； a very beautiful woman。 She had a small
tubercular nodule upon her upper arm； according to him。 He was sure
that it was of no importance； but he wanted to know whether Devonshire
or the Riviera would be the better for her。 I examined her and found a
frightful sarcoma of the bone； hardly showing upon the surface； but
involving the shoulder…blade and clavicle as well as the humerus。 A more
malignant case I have never seen。 I sent her out of the room and I told
him the truth。 What did he do？ Why； he walked slowly round that
room with his hands behind his back； looking with the greatest interest at
the pictures。 I can see him now； putting up his gold pince…nez and staring
at them with perfectly vacant eyes； which told me that he saw neither them
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nor the wall behind them。 ‘Amputation of the arm？' he asked at last。
‘And of the collar…bone and shoulder…blade；' said I。 ‘Quite so。 The
collar…bone and shoulder…blade；' he repeated； still staring about him with
those lifeless eyes。 It settled him。 I don't believe he'll ever be the same
man again。 But the woman took it as bravely and brightly as could be；
and she has done very well since。 The mischief was so great that the
arm snapped as we drew it from the night…dress。 No； I don't think that
there will be any return； and I have every hope of her recovery。
〃The first patient is a thing which one remembers all one's life。 Mine
was commonplace； and the details are of no interest。 I had a curious
visitor； however； during the first few months after my plate went up。 It
was an elderly woman； richly dressed； with a wickerwork picnic basket in
her hand。 This she opened with the tears streaming down her face； and
out there waddled the fattest； ugliest； and mangiest little pug dog that I
have ever seen。 ‘I wish you to put him painlessly out of the world；
doctor；' she cried。 ‘Quick； quick； or my resolution may give way。' She
flung herself down； with hysterical sobs； upon the sofa。 The less
experienced a doctor is； the higher are his notions of professional dignity；
as I need not remind you； my young friend； so I was about to refuse the
commission with indignation； when I bethought me that； quite apart from
medicine； we were gentleman and lady； and that she had asked me to do
something for her which was evidently of the greatest possible importance
in her eyes。 I led off the poor little doggie； therefore； and with the help of
a saucerful of milk and a few drops of prussic acid his exit was as speedy
and painless as could be desired。 ‘Is it over？' she cried as I entered。 It
was really tragic to see how all the love which should have gone to
husband and children had； in default of them； been centred upon this
uncouth little animal。 She left； quite broken down； in her carriage； and it
was only after her departure that I saw an envelope sealed with a large red
seal； and lying upon the blotting pad of my desk。 Outside； in pencil； was
written： ‘I have no doubt that you would willingly have done this
without a fee； but I insist upon your acceptance of the enclosed。' I
opened it with some vague notions of an eccentric millionaire and a fifty…
pound note； but all I found was a postal order for four and sixpence。 The
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whole incident struck me as so whimsical that I laughed until I was tired。
You'll find there's so much tragedy in a doctor's life； my boy； that he would
not be able to stand it if it were not for the strain of comedy which comes
every now and then to leaven it。
〃And a doctor has very much to be thankful for also。 Don't you ever
forget it。 It is such a pleasure to do a little good that a man should pay
for the privilege instead of being paid for it。 Still； of course； he has his
home to keep up and his wife and children to support。 But his patients
are his friendsor they should be so。 He goes from house to house； and
his step and his voice are loved and welcomed in each。 What could a
man ask for more than that？ And besides； he is forced to be a good man。
It is impossible for him to be anything else。 How can a man spend his
whole life in seeing suffering bravely borne and yet remain a hard or a
vicious man？ It is a noble； generous； kindly profession； and you
youngsters have got to see that it remains so。〃
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