It's
fallen off dreadful within the last few weeks. The poor breakfastes as
you eats is enough to break a man's heart. And you don't know the pains
as I take, sir, to tempt you in the way of breakfastes. That fish, sir,
I fetched from Grove's this morning with my own hands. They comes up in
a salt-water tank in the bottom of their own boat, sir, as lively as if
they was still in their natural eleming, Grove's fish do. But they
might be red herrings for any notice as you take of 'em. You're not
yourself, Mr. Douglas, that's what it is. You're ill, Mr. Douglas, and
you ought to see a doctor. Excuse my presumption, sir, in making these
remarks; but if an old family servant that has nursed you on his knees
can't speak free, who can?"
"True," Douglas answered with a sigh; "I was a very small boy when you
carried me on your shoulders to many a country fair, and you were very
good to me, Jarvis."
"Only my dooty, sir," muttered the old man.
"You are right, Jarvis, as to my health--I am ill."
"Then you'll send for a doctor, surely, Mr. Douglas."
"I have already seen a doctor."
"And what do he say, sir?"
"He says my case is very serious."
"Oh, Mr. Douglas, don't 'ee say that, don't 'ee say that," cried the
old man, in extreme distress.
"I can only tell you the truth, Jarvis," answered Douglas: "but there
is no occasion for despair.
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