Part 30 (1/2)
”Oh, my health is all right,” said Jones. ”I can eat and all that, but, times, I've felt as if I wasn't one person or the other, that's one of my main reasons for quitting, leaving aside other things. You see I had to carry on up to a certain point, and, if you'll excuse me blowing my own horn, I think I've not done bad. I could have put my claws on all that money--If I hadn't been a straight man, there's a lot of things I could have done, 'pears to me. Well, now that everything is settled, I think that ought to be taken into consideration. I don't ask much, just a commission on the money salved.”
”Decidedly,” said Simms. ”In my opinion you are quite right. But as a professional man my concern just a moment ago was about your health.”
”Oh, the voyage back to the States will put that right.”
”Quite so, but you will excuse my professional instinct--and I am giving you my services for nothing, if you will let me--I notice signs of nerve exhaustion--Let's look at your tongue.”
Jones put out his tongue.
”Not bad,” said Simms. ”Now just cross your legs.”
Jones crossed his legs, right over left, and Simms, standing before him, gave him a little sharp tap just under the right knee cap. The leg flew out.
Jones laughed.
”Exaggerated patella reflex,” said Simms. ”Nerve f.a.g, nothing more. A pill or two is all you want. You don't notice any difficulty in speech?”
”Not much,” said Jones, laughing.
”Say--'Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.'”
”'Peter Peter piped a pick--'” began Jones, then he laughed.
”You can't say it,” said Simms, c.o.c.king a wise eyebrow.
”You bet I can,” said the patient. ”'Peter Piper pucked a pick'”--
”Nerve exhaustion,” said Simms.
”Say, Doc,” cut in Jones, beginning to feel slight alarm. ”What are you getting at, you're beginning to make me feel frightened, there's not anything really wrong with me, is there?”
”Nothing but what can be righted by care,” replied Simms.
”Let me try Mr. Jones with a lingual test,” said Cavendish. ”Say: 'She stood at the door of the fish-sauce shop in the Strand welcoming him in.'”
”She stood at the door of the fish shauce shop in the Strand welcom-om ming im,” said Jones.
”H'm, h'm,” said Cavendish.
”That's crazy,” said Jones, ”n.o.body could say that--Oh, I'm all right--I reckon a little liver pill will fix me up.”
The two doctors withdrew to a window and said a few words together. Then they both nodded to the Duke of Melford.
”Well,” said the Duke, ”that's settled and now, Mr. Jones, I hope you will stay here for luncheon.”
Jones had had enough of that house.
”Thanks,” said he, ”but I think I'll be getting back. I want a walk.
You'll find me at Carlton House Terrace where we can finish up this business. It's a weight off my mind now everything is over--whew! I can tell you I'm hungry for the States.”