“Liberties! I call them rights, doctor, not liberties! Can't you imagine a man, not very wilful, not very capricious, but who, if the whim took him, would n't stand being thwarted by any habits of a so-called respectable family? There, don't throw up your eyes, and misunderstand me. All I mean is, that my hours of eating and sleeping have no rule. I smoke everywhere; I make as much noise as I please; and I never brook any impertinent curiosity about what I do, or what I leave undone.” “Under all the circumstances, you had, perhaps, better remain where you are,” said Dill, thoughtfully. “Of course, if these people will permit me to pay for my board and lodging. If they 'll condescend to let me be a stranger, I ask for nothing better than this place.” “Might I offer myself as a negotiator?” said Dill, insinuatingly; “for I opine that the case is not of the difficulty you suppose. Will you confide it to my hands?” “With all my heart. I don't exactly see why there should be a negotiation at all; but if there must, pray be the special envoy.” When Dill arose and set out on his mission, the young fellow looked after him with an expression that seemed to say, “How you all imagine you are humbugging me, while I read every one of you like a book!” Let us follow the doctor, and see how he acquitted himself in his diplomacy. CHAPTER V. DILL AS A DIPLOMATIST Dr. Dill had knocked twice at the door of Miss Barrington's little sitting-room, and no answer was returned to his summons. “Is the dear lady at home?” asked he, blandly. But, though he waited for some seconds, no reply came. “Might Dr. Dill be permitted to make his compliments?” “Yes, come in,” said a sharp voice, very much with the expression of one wearied out by importunity. Miss Barrington gave a brief nod in return for the profound obeisance of her visitor, and then turned again to a large map which covered the table before her. “I took the opportunity of my professional call here this morning--” “How is that young man,--is anything broken?” “I incline to say there is no fracture. The flexors, and perhaps, indeed, the annular ligament, are the seat of all the mischief.” “A common sprain, in fact; a thing to rest for one day, and hold under the pump the day after.” “The dear lady is always prompt, always energetic; but these sort of cases are often complicated, and require nice management.” “And frequent visits,” said she, with a dry gravity. “All the world must live, dear lady,--all the world must live.” “Your profession does not always sustain your theory, sir; at least, popular scandal says you kill as many as you cure.” “I know the dear lady has little faith in physic.”