When Stillwater, the following morning, confided to the noted medical authority that he intended to take his whole family on a sailing voyage to Japan, adding the clause, "We’re going to have a real good time," he sank back in his chair, and regarded Stillwater with an expression of patient endurance. "I thought I had impressed on you, Mr. Stillwater, the necessity of absolute rest and quiet. _Rest_ and _quiet_; do you understand me?" "Perfectly! Perfectly! That’s what I’m laying my plans for. Three months on a sailing vessel—" "_With your entire family_, which includes—?" "My wife, my daughter, and my mother-in-law." "A wife, a daughter, and a mother-in-law. None of them deaf or dumb, I presume?" "Ha, ha, ha! Now you needn’t be afraid I shan’t have cheerful company. They’ll make things hum, I tell you!" "I don’t doubt it for a minute. Mr. Stillwater, I strongly advise this trip without your family. With your family I am as strongly against it. To be confined for three months on a sailing vessel with a wife, a daughter, and a mother-in-law, would be enough to derange any man’s nerves, allowing he is perfectly normal when he starts. Now, the consequences in your condition—" "Now, doctor, you’re not sure of your ground. You don’t know my family. They’re devoted to me." "Of course," said the Noted Authority, smiling blandly. "That is the trouble." "Say now. They’re not going to do me any harm." "Intentionally, I hope not." "Of course they have their little squabbles, but I can manage them all right." "We might effect a compromise. How old is your daughter?" "Eighteen. A perfect child. We can do whatever we like with her." Stillwater smiled involuntarily as he uttered this unblushing falsehood, thinking "I mean she can do whatever she likes with us. My words got twisted, that’s all." "Well, suppose we leave your mother-in-law behind, and take your wife and daughter. The latter, I gather, is tractable and easily managed." "Leave my mother-in-law behind! Oh, I couldn’t do that. She’s making a great sacrifice for my sake. She’s awful seasick but I promised her a good time, once we get to Japan, and I mean to keep my word." The Noted Authority sighed. "You’re quite decided on that point?" "Quite. Couldn’t leave _her_ behind. Wouldn’t hurt her feelings for the world." "There is no more to be said, Mr. Stillwater." "The sailing trip’s off, then?" "Except you resolve to go alone. In case of nervous derangement I always advise separation. No family." "Of course, I couldn’t presume to argue with you, Doctor. But I’ll talk it over with the ladies. They’ll never allow me to go alone, though, I’m quite sure of it." "Is there any necessity to precipitate matters so far?" said the Noted Authority. "Would it not be easier to announce at once quietly and firmly your intention to go, avoiding all preliminary discussion?"