'WITH his accustomed ingenuousness, Jeremiah proceeded
directly to the house of Doctor Smoothcoat when he went in pursuit of a
physician, for he knew that that personage was celebrated for his high
charges, and he thought than no physician could have the conscience
to value his services at a higher rate than the rest of the faculty
unless he were conscious that they were worth more to the patient; and
as there were many other simple-minded people beside Jeremiah, Doctor
Smoothcoat had a good many rich patients who enabled him, by their
contributions, to live in great magnificence, and occasionally to
refresh himself by a visit to Europe, which brought him more patients
than even his high charges, for a European reputation is a great help
to one's progress in the New World.
'Jeremiah's heart sank within him when he reached the doctor's house,
and was informed that the great man was out on a professional visit;
he waited a long time expecting him to return, and at last came away
without seeing him, but left a note on his office-table requesting him
to call at Mr. Tremlett's house. He sat by the old gentleman's bed-side
until past midnight watching with great anxiety, but no physician
came; and then, growing alarmed, he went again in search of Doctor
Smoothcoat. This time he found the professional gentleman at home, but
he was astonished to learn that he had been for more than an hour in
bed and asleep. How could he sleep when a patient lay sick almost unto
death, waiting for his assistance?
'But the Doctor said he had not received a call.
''Did you not get the note that I left for you?' asked Jeremiah.
''The note!' said the Doctor; 'I have received no communication from
you.'
''But I left one upon your office-table,' said Jeremiah.
''Oh! ah! I do remember that I observed a bit of paper lying there
directed to me, but I did not think that it could be of any moment,'
said Doctor Smoothcoat; 'gentlemen having communications to make to me
usually seal their letters with wax.'
''Wax!' exclaimed Jeremiah, with unusual warmth; 'wax! O, true; it
should have been wax; and here it is sealed with a wafer; and it has
not been opened! Well, well, I am very sorry. But, surely the life of a
human being is of more consequence than a bit of wax!'
'The doctor thought otherwise. He had not been to Europe for nothing.
Moreover, he was a conservative, and consequently a great stickler for
forms. So wicked a departure from established usages as sealing a note
to a person of his consequence with a wafer, was not to be lightly
passed by. He understood the full importance of wax.'