"And who is our wonderful friend, doctor, when 'e or she's at 'ome?" Doctor Dollar laughed as he pushed back his chair. "That's the one thing you mustn't ask me; but come up and see the room before you make up your mind against it." It was at the top and back of the house, less lofty than those into which the Home Secretary had peeped on a previous occasion, but similarly appointed, and more attractive in the morning light and that of a fire already crackling in the grate. By the fireside stood a white wicker chair and a glass table strewn with the newest and lightest of monthly and weekly literature; ash-trays and match-boxes were in comfortable evidence; a bed of vestal purity was turned down in readiness, and a suit of gay pajamas airing with a bathgown on a set of bright brass pipes.[Pg 84] [Pg 84] "The bathroom is next door," explained the doctor; "you would have it practically to yourself, but your room would be your castle." And he pointed out an efficient bolt upon the door. "You wouldn't lock me in on the other side?" suggested Croucher suspiciously. "Certainly not; you may have the key; but I should expect you to keep to your own floor, and, of course, to the house. You would not be a prisoner in any sense; but if you went out, Croucher, I'm afraid you would have to stay out. Otherwise my treatment would not have a fair chance; what you require, in the first instance, is absolute rest and no more truck with the outside world than you had where you have been." "An' good 'olesome grub?" suggested Croucher with another slant of his goggle eyes. "And plenty of square meals. Perhaps not so square as this morning's, because you won't have any exercise; but that sort of thing." "A little drop of anythin' to drink, doctor?" "With your meals, and in moderation, by all means; but don't ask me for nightcaps, and don't try to smuggle anything in."[Pg 85] [Pg 85] "I wouldn't do such a thing!" exclaimed Croucher, with virtuous decision. "Doctor, I'm your man, and ready to turn in as soon as ever you like."
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