by his proposal. Posing as a patient seemed like deceit, but Bob's earnest expression made me pause.

"I don't know, Bob," I began slowly, weighing the pros and cons. "Isn't that a bit...unethical?"

Bob let out a hearty laugh, slapping his knee in amusement. "Unethical? Nonsense, old boy! It's just a bit of harmless play-acting. Besides, you'll be doing me a good turn."

I mulled over his words, considering the situation. Bob was a good friend, and I knew he was in need of some patients to keep his practice afloat.

After a moment of contemplation, I finally relented. "Alright, Bob. I'll do it. But just this once, mind you."

Bob's face lit up with gratitude. "You're a good sport, Dick! You won't regret this, I promise you."

And so, we hatched a plan to stage my visit as a concerned patient seeking medical advice. Little did I know the chain of events that would be set in motion by this seemingly innocuous decision."Most certainly, old chap," I responded. "Even though you incur a great responsibility?"

"What is the responsibility?"

"A very grave one. To take charge of this extensive practice while I go down to Bristol and see my people. I haven't been homesick a week."

"Why, of course," I responded. "I'll look after things with pleasure."

"Thanks. You're a brick. I won't be away for more than a week. You won't find it very laborious. There's a couple of kids with the croup round in Angel Road, a bedridden old girl in Bridge Road, and a man in Beadon Road who seems to have a perpetual stomach ache. That's about all."

I smiled. He had not attempted to diagnose the stomach-ache, I supposed. He was, indeed, a careless fellow.

"Of course you'll pocket all the fees," he added, with a touch of grim humour. "They're not very heavy--bobs and half-crowns--but they may keep you in tobacco till I come back."

And thus I became the _locum tenens_ of the not too extensive practice of Robert Raymond, surgeon, for he departed for Paddington on the following evening, and I entered upon my somewhat lonely duties.

The first couple of days passed without incident. I visited the two children with the croup, looked in upon the bedridden relict of 

 Prev. P 4/205 next