As I walked through my house and
viewed my varied possessions, I felt less radical in my
views, and begun to think that there might be something
in the rights of property after all.
And I added to my effects in a marvellous way. I
made myself an excellent mattress out of some sacking and
the straw in which the medicine bottles had been packed.
Again, out of three shutters which belonged to the
room, I rigged up a very effective side-table for my own
den, which when covered with a red cloth, and ornamented
with the bears' paws, might have cost twenty guineas for
all that the patient could say to the contrary. I had
done all this with a light heart and a good spirit before
the paralysing blow which I shall have to tell you about,
came upon me.
Of course it was obvious from the first that a
servant was out of the question. I could not feed one,
far less pay one, and I had no kitchen furniture. I must
open my door to my own patients--let them think what they
would of it. I must clean my own plate and brush down my
own front; and these duties must be thoroughly done,
come what might, for I must show a presentable outside to
the public. Well, there was no great hardship in that,
for I could do it under the cover of night. But I had
had a suggestion from my mother which simplified matters
immensely. She had written to say that if I wished she
would send my little brother Paul to keep me company.
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