“He jumped up, too.

“ ‘Perhaps you are exaggerating⁠—if you were to take proper measures perhaps⁠—’

“He was terribly confused and did not seem able to collect his scattered senses; the pocketbook was still in his left hand.

“ ‘Oh, don’t mind me,’ I said. ‘ Dr. B⁠⸺ saw me last week’ (I lugged him in again), ‘and my hash is quite settled; pardon me⁠—’ I took hold of the door-handle again. I was on the point of opening the door and leaving my grateful but confused medical friend to himself and his shame, when my damnable cough got hold of me again.