'So, Sir Doctor,' he said, 'I have truly a profitable pair of servants!--one who pretends to cure everybody, and so escapes work; and your cousin, who pretends to be sick, and so will do none! A mighty bargain I made, truly, when I bought you both!' 'With submission, sir,' I said, 'I have within the last week earned for your honour ten guineas' worth of fees.' 'Well, that is as it may be. How do I know what hath gone into your own pocket? Where is this malingering fellow? Make him sit up! Sit up, I say, ye skulking dog; sit up!' 'Sir,' I said, still speaking with the greatest humility, 'nobody but the Lord can make this man sit up.' And, indeed, Robin did not comprehend one word that was said. 'I gave fifty pounds for him only a month ago. Am I to lose all that money, I ask? Fifty pounds! because I was told that he was a gentleman and would be ransomed by his family. Hark ye, Doctor, you must either cure this man for me--or else, by the Lord! you shall have his ransom added to your own. If he dies, I will double your price! Mark that!' I said nothing, hoping that he would depart. As for Alice, she had turned her back upon him at his first appearance (as Madam had ordered her to do), so that he might not notice her. Unfortunately he did not depart, but came into the room, looking about him. Certainly he was not one who would suffer his servants to be negligent, even in the smallest things. 'Here is fine work!' he said. 'Sheets of the best--a pillow; what hath a servant to do with such luxuries?' 'My cousin is a gentleman,' I told him, 'and accustomed to lie in linen. The rug which is enough for him in health must have a sheet to it as well, now that he is sick.' 'Humph! And whom have we here! Who art thou, madam, I wish to know?' Alice turned. 'I am your honour's servant,' she said. 'I am employed in this sick-house when I am not in the sewing-room.' 'A servant? Oh! madam, I humbly crave your pardon. I took you for some fine lady. I am honoured by having such a servant. All the rest of my women servants go in plain smock and petticoat. But,' here he smiled, 'to so lovely a girl as Alice Eykin--fair Alice, sweet Alice--we must give the bravest and daintiest. To thee, my dear, nothing can be denied. Those dainty cheeks, those white hands, were never made to adorn a common coif. Mistress Alice, we must be better acquainted. This is no fit place for you. Not the sick-house, but the best room in my house shall be at thy service.' 'Sir, I ask for nothing but to sit retired, and to render such service as is in my power.' 'To sit retired? Why, that cannot be longer suffered. 'Twould be a sin to keep hidden any longer this treasure--this marvel, I say, of beauty and grace. My servant! Nay; 'tis I--'tis the whole island--who are thy servants. Thou to render service! 'Tis for me, madam, to render service to thy beauty.' He took off his hat and flourished it, making a leg.