The late Sir Andrew Clarke was once attending a comparatively
poor man who was so seriously ill as to need his constant and
assiduous attention. He was fighting death step by step, and
seeing his efforts meet with success. As he bent over and
watched his patient, a telegram was handed him asking him to
come over and consult some wealthy idler in the south of France,
offering a special train to Dover, a packet chartered to Calais,
another special train to Nice, and a fabulous fee. He looked at
the patient, folded the telegram, and said to his assistant,
“Reply that I am needed here and can not leave,” and turned to
tend the poor man again.
Much has been said in praise of this heroic self-abnegation.
But, after all, the doctor simply did his duty.
(840)
See FAITHFULNESS.