this poor woman's spirits by suggesting to her dreams of enormous
damages, and at the same time I promote litigation, to the great
advantage of her lawyer. I think that is the true scientific spirit."

"I--I--" began Mrs. Tarbell, in some confusion.

"Beg pardon?" said the doctor. "Well, I must be off. I've done all I can
for the poor woman. She ought to send for her own doctor as soon as she
gets home. I suppose--will you--?" He looked at Mrs. Tarbell doubtfully,
as if wondering whether he ought to take it for granted that she was in
charge of the case.

"I will tell her," said Mrs. Tarbell.

"I could tell her myself," said the doctor. "To be sure. Well, if I
could only inform her lawyer what I've done for him, he might induce my
fair patient to employ me permanently." He smiled at his joke, shook his
head waggishly, and turned to look for his hat.

As Mrs. Tarbell looked after him in some perplexity, John, the
office-boy, came back to report that the carriage was engaged and at the
door; and Mrs. Stiles was presently carried down-stairs again, it being
quite impossible for her even to limp.

But before she was lifted up she turned her head and beckoned to Mrs.
Tarbell.

"Could I," she said,--"could I have a case against the railway company?"

"Ye-es,--I suppose so," Mrs. Tarbell answered.