Part 25 (2/2)
”I thought so, I thought so,” said the olddown to clasp his hands about one knee and sit as if thinking deeply over soladly availed hihts
For an idea had suddenly occurred to hiht
He was in the next house--the oldhis solitary life seemed pleased to have found someone ready to converse with him Why should he not try and cultivate the old fellow's acquaintance, and take advantage of the opportunities it would afford hiht this when the oldat hie--how very strange it all is, my dear sir Now, you will hardly credit me when I tell you that for so from little symptoest to ht to consult a medical man”
”Indeed?” said Chester
”Yes, my dear sir, indeed; but you see, I aroeak and vacillating; Ito a doctor for fear that he should telland co very near to the end of my span”
”Oh, surely not,” said Chester ”You look a very healthy subject, sir”
”I--I don't know, o; and here, all at once, in the most casual way, I suddenly make the acquaintance of ain a friendly hich quite invites e, indeed,” said Chester, gazing hard in the pleasant, bland old countenance before him ”But really, my dear sir, I do not think you require aze and then said appealingly--
”I hope,sincerely”
”Of course,” replied Chester
”Not as doctors soe their patients?”
”Certainly not,” cried Chester ”There is every sign of a vigorous, green old age about you”
”That is very pleasant to hear, my dear sir,” said the old man, ”very pleasant I don't think I am one ready to repine, or one ould seek to live for selfish considerations--love of pleasure or the like--but I have so much to do I want years yet to coo over to Leyden, Leipsic, Nure, Florence, and several of the other Continental tohich were the birthplaces of many of these old tomes which you see upon my shelves”
”I see no reason why you should not live for years yet, sir,” said Chester, encouragingly
”But etful, et their places All little sy powers?”
”To be perfectly candid, certainly they are,” said Chester; ”but in a healthy old age these failings coests sosecretary with a methodical turn of mind would relieve you of a trouble like this Really I do not think that you have any occasion to trouble yourself about such a sy powers of sight which co friend!” cried the oldforward to catch at his visitor's hand, ”I cannot find words to express ratitude You do not knohat a relief your words have been to me It is wonderful, and upon such a casual acquaintanceshi+p But I sincerely hope that you will let me see more of you--er--that is, if I am not troublesome to you; such a wearisome old bookworm as I fear I must be But the mouse helped the lion, you know, and who knows but what I may be able to help you with some information about your friends next door--let me see, I think you said it was the people next door who to find”
”I did not say so,” said Chester, quietly
”I beg your pardon; but you do wish to know so about them”
”Well, frankly, yes, I do,” said Chester
”Hah! And who knows but what Ithat does not occur to me now--a trifle or two perhaps, but which may be of importance from your point of view Come and see ht be interested in some of my books”
”I have no doubt but that I should be”
”To be sure, yes I have an old copy of Hippocrates on surgery and medicine, and I daresay many others which do not occur to me now Yes, of course, I have Boerhaave You will come?”