"I didn't know you were in these parts, Taylor," said his friend, the House Surgeon. "Haven't seen you for a century.... Yes!--I know I am right. It's two years next Lady Day. How's the family? How's Miss Caldecott?... all right, are they? That's well. Now let's have a look at you. Turn round to the light...."
"Didn't say you weren't. Let's have a look! Turn well round and show yourself ... h'm!"
"I thought as much! You've been dissipating, my man. _Your_ sort of dissipation! What was it this time? You've been up all night, my good sir! It's no use your trying to deceive me."
"'I will not deceive you, my sweet!'" Mr. Taylor quoted Mrs. Gamp, and was understood. "I chanced upon a bad case of _delirium tremens_ threatening its lawful wife with a knife, and I stayed to see it out. Poor fellow!"
"Because I locked him up and went for the doctor round the corner. He said he knew you. Man of the name of Ferris. Good sort of little chap...."
"I know him. Saw him yesterday--came to see a patient here. Well!--what did he say to your man?"
"He never saw him alive. While I was away the poor fellow escaped out of the room, ran a mile and a half through the snow, and pitched himself into a canal-lock.... Oh yes!--he was fished out dead from under the ice...."
"Rather a good job, I should think.... However, perhaps I oughtn't to say that...."
"Glad to hear you say so, Crumpton! It sounds hopeful."
"I didn't mean that way. I meant he might have been an interesting case. Anyhow, there's an end of _him_!"
"I wish I could think that. But suppose I tell you what brings me here now: we can quarrel about the human soul after. I want to hear about a man that was brought in yesterday night, a blind sailor-beggar that was run over. Have you seen him?"
"Rather! I helped to get his leg off, just above the knee. A very good case--a very good case!"
"What does that mean!--a very good case?"
"Means that if the limb hadn't been taken off on the nail, septic poisoning might have set in--yes!--already!--By the merest chance Brantock was here when he was brought in--he's our visiting surgeon, you know--and he operated immediately.... Save it? Not a chance--arteries all torn--circulation stopped--nothing for it but the knife! The other leg we may save. He has a splendid constitution. Couldn't have kept him so long under chloroform else."