Pastor and Prelate (Volume 1); A Story of Clerical Life

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1892. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER V. Eggley and Lennard walked back to Dr. Thudicum's house together. They had not far to go, as the doctor's house stood in the same angle of the market-place as the Vicarage, and was so near the latter that it even commanded from one of its windows a view over the Vicarage garden. They got back just in time for supper. Mrs. Thudicum was a very punctual woman, especially in the matter of meals. In this respect she differed from the wives of doctors in general, who, however lofty the ideal of order with which they may start in life, soon get demoralised by the irregularity of their husbands' habits. But Dr. Thudicum was treated in the matter of meals without fear or favour. If he chose so to arrange his round as to be back in time for dinner or supper, he found dinner or supper ready for hinr. If, on the other hand, he came in late, then he found his dinner or supper put by for him in a curious and unappetising assortment of saucepans and basins. The net result of this system, pursued with undeviating consequence through many years, was that Dr. Thudicum had developed into a quite exceptionally punctual character. His patients might sometimes get rather short measure; he himself got his meals in comfort, which was an important consideration at his age, and had, indeed, been always an important consideration with him. It is true that there was a certain relentless swiftness about the meals at the doctor's house which by no means suited the doctor himself. Indeed, Mrs. Thudicum's theory of punctuality seemed to be largely based upon a keen realisation of the fact that the sooner you set a meal upon the table the sooner its relics can be swept away again. There was no approach to what is usually termed hurry, much less confusion. All went regular as cl...