Life — January 5, 1911 — page 36: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

MM ®JEREMIN, 0 gen- tleman in comfort- able circumstances, occupy- ing a nice home in the suburbs, is suddenly taken ill, and his wife, much alarmed, has sent for the family phy- sician, Dr. Purser, The Doc- tor has just come in his automobile, and has entered the pa- tient’s room, Tus Doctor: Well, what have you been doing with yourself? Jeremin: [ guess it’s nothing serious. Think I have a fever. Doctor (taking his temperature and, while doing it, feeling his pulse): Yes, slightly. Move over a little (feeling his stomach), any pain there? Yes? Ah! How long has this been coming on? Jexemin (by this time rather alarmed himself by the doctor’s mysterious atti- tude): Why, since yesterday, I felt all right then, Docror: Um. I'll write a temporary prescription. In the meantime— Jenestn (half rising up): What's the matter with me? Doctor: Well (slowly) there’s a possi- bility that you may have to be operated upon. Jeremin (in @ terror): What for? (Mrs. Jes in now bustles into the room, a polite smile on her face.) Mrs. Jereatin: What do you think cf him, doctor? Think he will be all right in the morning? You know, he is so busy that Jexemin: No! He says I may have to be operated upon! Mas. Jereaix (her grave) : What for? Docror: He has all the symptoms of appendicitis. Jexestin (muttering feebly to him- self): Nonsense! I don’t believe it. Mrs. Jereatn (thoroughly alarmed) : What do you think we would better do? Of course, Doctor, I have every confi- dence in you, but—— Doctor (very gently) your positiop exactly. I wouldn't. per- form the operation myself. Of course, I may be I should like to have Jington sce him, face growing I appreciate wrong; os ole A Regular Case Jerrmin and his wife (almost to- gether) Jington! Doctor: Yes, I can recommend him. T have seen his work. I consider him the best. He may decide that it isn’t necessar; Jeremin (almost reduced to a mental pulp): When—would—he—come? Doctor: Oh, there’s no time to lose! I'll get him right away, I'll bring hins back with me. Jeremin: You might telephone. Doctor (decidedly): No! That won't do. I'll go and get him—that’s bes. Expect us in a short time (holding out his hand to Mas. Jeremin). Don’t be in the least alarmed. It's nothing, nowa- days. He'll be all right in a month Simplest thing in the world. Jington does it perfectly. (He goes out.) Jeremin: I can't believe it! I don’t believe it! Yesterday I was in perfect health, Mrs, Jeresttn (also in an agony of mind): I know it. It doesn’t seem pos- sible, Jeremin (muttering): What do they know, anyway? I am not (rising decid- edly up in bed) going to have it done! Mrs. Jeremin: You must, if he says so, I have every confidence in Doctor Purser, dear. You know he is all right. We must trust some one. Why, if you didn't—think of the consequences. Be- sides (brightly) it’s so simple. They are doing it every day. Jeremin (shaking his head slowly): 1 can't believe it. Yesterday II Scene; Doctor Jixcron’s office. Ente Doctor Purser. Purser: Thought you would be here. I have a patient for you. Juxcrox : Who is it? Purser: One of mine. have to fix him up. ‘ Who is he? Guess you'll : Name’s Jeremin. (pulling out a card from a Business ? Banker. Money, I suppose? Fairly well off. Owns own home. Jixctox: Pu How much can he stand? fteen hundred. : And how much do you want? Purser: That's what I want to see you about. You ought to pay me more than you did last time. Jincton : Let's see. I charged a thou- sand and you got two hundred. What's the matter with that? Purser: You must remember that there are plenty of surgeons in the field. T know half a dozen who can do that stunt—well, of course (smiling), 1 won't say as well as you can, but almost as well. Now, I can throw a lot of cases yiar way; or I can throw them in other ways. Dillton, for example, would have paid me three hundred for that last one. Jixcron: I want to be fair. Purser: I know you do. Now, if you get fifteen hundred for this case, I think I ought to have one-third. Jixctox (firmly): Impossible! I wouldn't undertake it. I don’t have to. I am rushed to death, anyway. Purser: Suppose you get two thou- sand? Will you give me five then? Jixctox: How do you know that I can’t get two thousand? Purser: I know these people. If I say it’s all right they will pay; but if you charge two thousand and I hint that it’s too much they will go elsewhere. The whole thing is in my hands. Jixcton: It establishes a bad prece- dent. Purse Not necessarily. I don't know everybody as well as I do these people. Besides, I wouldn't ask it in every case; but I want to take my family to Bermuda this year and I'd like to do it in this way. Jixcton: Well, all right. you want me to come? Purser: Right away The Jewesuns. When do Seen Enter the to doctors. Purser: This is Doctor Jington. Jereaux: Glad to sce you, Doctor. They tell me—— (They shake hands and Jixctox makes his examination, last- ing some five minutes.) Jixctox (cheerfully): You are right. I'll fx you up in no time. Mns, Jeresin: You think, then, that it is necessary? Jixctox (decidedly): Oh, yes. You see, a septic condition might set in at any time. He has a temperature now. But we have taken. it in time. Jeremix: When would you— Jixcrox: Ob, this afternoon. You (turning to Purser) can arrange for a room at the hospital? Purser: Certainly—in a case like this. Jenemsy (soho, in spite of the fact that he is not up to his usual mark, has had att comicbooks.com