WEDGECROFT _is on her heels. If you have an eye for essentials you may tell at once that he is a doctor, but if you only notice externals you will take him for anything else. He is over forty and in perfect health of body and spirit. His enthusiasms are his vitality and he has too many of them ever to lose one. He squeezes_ MISS TREBELL'S _hand with an air of fearless affection which is another of his characteristics and not the least loveable_. WEDGECROFT. How are you? FRANCES. I'm very well, thanks. WEDGECROFT. [_To_ TREBELL, _as they shake hands_.] You're looking fit. TREBELL. [_With tremendous emphasis._] I am! WEDGECROFT. You've got the motor eye though. TREBELL. Full of dust? WEDGECROFT. Look at Kent's. [_He takes_ WALTER'S _arm_.] It's a slight but serious contraction of the pupil . . which I charge fifty guineas to cure. FRANCES. It's the eye of faith in you and your homeopathic doses. Don't you interfere with it. FRANCES TREBELL, _housekeeper, goes out_. KENT _has seized on the letters and is carrying them to his room_. KENT. This looks like popularity and the great heart of the people, doesn't it? WEDGECROFT. Trebell, you're not ill, and I've work to do. TREBELL. I want ten minutes. Keep anybody out, Kent. KENT. I'll switch that speaking tube arrangement to my room. TREBELL, _overflowing with vitality, starts to pace the floor_. TREBELL. I've seen the last of Pump Court, Gilbert. WEDGECROFT. The Bar ought to give you a testimonial . . to the man who not only could retire on twenty years' briefs, but =has=. TREBELL. Fifteen. But I bled the City sharks with a good conscience . . quite freely. WEDGECROFT. [_With a pretence at grumbling._] I wish I could retire. TREBELL. No you don't. Doctoring's a priestcraft . . you've taken vows. WEDGECROFT. Then why don't you establish =our= church instead of . . TREBELL. Yes, my friend . . but you're a heretic. I'd have to give the Medical Council power to burn you at the stake. KENT. [_With the book packages._] Parcel from the S. P. C. K., sir. TREBELL. I know . . Disestablishment a crime against God; sermon preached by the Vicar of something Parva in eighteen seventy three. I hope you're aware it's your duty to read all those. KENT. Suppose they convert me? Lucy wanted to know if she could see you. TREBELL. [_His eyebrows up._] Yes, I'll call at Mrs. Farrant's. Oh, wait. Aren't they coming to dinner? KENT. To-night? No, I think they go back to Shapters by the five o'clock. I told her she might come round about twelve on the chance. TREBELL. Yes . . if Cantelupe's punctual . . I'd sooner not have too long with him. KENT. All right, then. _He goes, shutting the door; then you hear the door of his room shut too. The two friends face each other, glad of a talk._ TREBELL. Well? WEDGECROFT. Well . . you'll never do it. TREBELL. Yes, I shall.