And
yet there must be some truth in it, or he would not
invite me to come down and test it. On the whole, I
thought that I had better move very cautiously in the
matter; for I was happy and snug where I was, and kept on
putting a little by, which I hoped would form a nucleus
to start me in practice. It is only a few pounds up to
date, but in a year or so it might mount to something.
I wrote to Cullingworth, therefore, thanking him for
having remembered me, and explaining how matters stood.
I had had great difficulty in finding an opening,
I said, and now that I had one I was loth to give it
up save for a permanency.
Ten days passed, during which Cullingworth was
silent. Then came a huge telegram.
"Your letter to hand. Why not call me a liar at
once? I tell you that I have seen thirty thousand
patients in the last year. My actual takings have been
over four thousand pounds. All patients come to me.
Would not cross the street to see Queen Victoria. You
can have all visiting, all surgery, all midwifery. Make
what you like of it. Will guarantee three hundred pounds
the first year."
Well, this began to look more like business--
especially that last sentence. I took it to Horton, and
asked his advice. His opinion was that I had nothing to
lose and everything to gain. So it ended by my wiring
back accepting the partnership--if it is a partnership--
and to-morrow morning I am off to Bradfield with great
hopes and a small portmanteau.
Pages:
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106