The money is immaterial
to me. I like to be useful, and I sympathise with nerves; but it may
make your wife feel she is really keeping a hold over me if we put the
arrangement on a business basis. As a matter of fact, whatever sum
she chooses to pay, I shall hand it over at once to the Bombay Plague
Hospital."
Sir Ivor looked relieved. "Thank you ever so much!" he said, wringing
her hand warmly. "I thowt you were a brick, and now I know it. My wife
says your face inspires confidence, and your voice sympathy. She MUST
have you with her. And you, Dr. Cumberledge?"
"I follow Miss Wade's lead," I answered, in my most solemn tone, with
an impressive bow. "I, too, am travelling for instruction and amusement
only; and if it would give Lady Meadowcroft a greater sense of security
to have a duly qualified practitioner in her suite, I shall be glad on
the same terms to swell your party. I will pay my own way; and I will
allow you to name any nominal sum you please for your claim on my
medical attendance, if necessary. I hope and believe, however, that our
presence will so far reassure our prospective patient as to make our
post in both cases a sinecure.
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