"This old fellow got sick one day and wanted to send for old Dr. Brown, but being of a thrifty turn of mind he didn't want to unless he had to. He knew me pretty well so he sent for me to come and see if he _needed_ a doctor. If I thought he did he'd send for Brown. I chatted with him awhile and he felt better. Next day he sent word to me again that he wished I'd stop as I went by and I did. This kept up several days and he got better and better, and finally got well _without_ any doctor, as he said." The visitor laughed, "You doctors could unfold many a tale--" "If the telephone would permit," said Mary, as the doctor answered the old summons, took his hat and left. * * * * * "John," said Mary one day, "I wish you would disconnect the house from the office." "No! You're a lot of help to me," protested the doctor. "Well, I heard someone wrangling with central today because the house answered when it was the office that was wanted." She laughed. "I know there are people who fancy the doctor's wife enjoying to the utmost her 'sweet privilege' of answering the 'phone in her husband's absence. Poor, innocent souls! If they could only know the deadly weariness of it all--but they can't." "Why, I didn't know you felt quite that way about it, Mary. I suppose I can disconnect it but--" "But you don't see how you can? Never mind, then. We'll go on, and some sweet day you'll retire from practice. Then hully-gee! won't I be free! You didn't choose the right sort of helpmeet, John. You surely could have selected one who would enjoy thrusting herself into the reluctant confidences of people far more than this one." "I'm resigned to my lot," laughed John, as he kissed his wife and departed. * * * * * Ting-a-ling-ling-ling. Ting-a-ling-ling-ling. "Is this you, Doctor?" "Yes." "What am I ever to do with Jane?" "Keep her in bed! That's what to do with her." "Well, I've got a mighty hard job. She's feeling so much better, she just _will_ get up." "Keep her down for awhile yet." "Well, maybe I can today, but I won't answer for tomorrow. She says she feels like she can jump over the house." "She can't, though." Laughter. "I'll do the best I can, Doctor, but that won't be much. Keeping her in bed is easier said than done," and the doctor grinned a very ready assent as he hung up the receiver. * * * * * The doctor's family was seated at dinner. Ting-a-ling-ling-ling. John rose, napkin in hand, and went while the clatter of knives and forks instantly ceased. "Yes." "Why didn't you do as I told you, yesterday?" "I _told_ you what to do." "Well, did you put them in hot water?" "Then do it. Do it right away. Have the water _hot_, now."