MINISTER (_wearily_)--Oh! yes ... I walk about.... I used to walk a lot in Ireland.... I’m not like Ch----n; he never takes any exercise (_bitterly_); but then, he was brought up differently. (_Sadly_) Oh Doctor! I am so tired!... My back aches. DOCTOR--Well, Mr. ----, a little rest will do you all the good in the world. You have the Easter recess in which to take a thorough rest. Do not lie in bed all day; get up about five and drive to your club. Whatever you do, don’t write or think, and don’t let them worry you with callers. (_The Doctor here prepared to leave_). MINISTER (_hopelessly_)--Doctor ... there is something I want to ask you.... _Can’t_ I give it up? DOCTOR (_firmly_)--No, Mr. ----, no. Upon no account. I have told your uncle and your cousins so fifty times. It is a point upon which I must be firm. Politics are a necessity to you all. I would not answer for you if it were not for politics. (_Sympathetically_) You are none of you strong. MINISTER (_heaving a deep sigh_)--No. I am not strong.... Alas!... Chaplin is. But then, Chaplin’s built differently.... I wish you would let me give it up, Doctor? DOCTOR (_kindly_)--No, my dear Mr. ----, _No!_ Pray put such thoughts out of your head. Every man must occupy his brain and body. Most men discover or choose an occupation, but I have not been a family doctor for thirty years without distinguishing these from such rare organisms as yours--and your family’s. The House of Commons is the saving of you. (_The Doctor here paused, gazed anxiously at Mr. ----, and said slowly_) Perhaps, though, you take your work too seriously. It is often so with highly strung men. Do as little as you can. MINISTER--I do ... but still it wearies me inexpressibly.. DOCTOR--Not so much as writing a book would, or travel, or country walks. MINISTER (_shaking his head_)--I never felt so tired after “It May be True,” nor even after “I Greatly Doubt It,” as I do now (_smiling a little_). They sold well. DOCTOR--And why? Because you were engaged in politics. Believe me, dear Mr. ----, without that one regular employment you would do little or nothing. It is the balance-wheel that regulates your whole system. Change the rules, and, if you will, limit debate to a minimum, but do not think of giving up the one thing that keeps up your circulation. More men die from inanition than I care to tell you. MINISTER--Very well, Doctor ... (_weakly and quietly_) it is nearly one; I must sleep ... Good-bye. _The Doctor here went out on tip-toe. The Minister slept. There was a great silence._ * * * * * The _Evening German_ suffered severely, and would have been ruined but for the prompt action of the Frankfort House; and the whole incident shows as clearly as possible what perils surround the most tempting, but the most speculative, sort of journalistic enterprise.