The Equinox (Volume I, Number VIII)

THE EQUINOX Mrs. Β. How perfectly sweet of you ! ΒΓ. F. I hope this is not professional ; at least, I'm sure there’s nothing the matter with you. Mrs. Β. Heavens, no! I have health enough for six. Dr. F. And there's nothing wrong with Dr. Bob? Mrs. B. Nothing serious; he has had a bit ofa cough this month back. Dr. F. Heaven help him if he has to make his own diagnosis—you know we call him Doctor Doom’em ! Mrs. B. It’s just that I want to talk to you about. Dr. F. You don't mean to say you mind ? Mrs. B. Mind ! It's driving me mad. Dr. F. But he’s the greatest consultant we have ; nobody ever comes to him while there's a chance anywhere else. Mrs. Β. Yes; but whatever other drugr he gives them, he never gives them hope. Dr. F. But they come for his opinion. Mrs. B. And don’t want to know it. Dr. F. Perhaps it would be better if they didn't. Mrs. B. That's it; that's what's driving me mad. I see them come here one after another, some cheerful, others desperate; some looking healthy, some looking half dead already ; some hoping, some doubting; all fearing. But one and all go away hopeless, utterly hopeless. I could bear it better if his were not so great a name. But he's right— he’s always right. That’s what's so terrible—he’s alway‘s right! Dr. F. Come, come! Don’t break down, Mrs. Bob! Mrs. B. VVouldn’t it be better to let them go on blindly to the end? Think of them watching and waitingl Think 66