The physician tells me that my case is a
grave one, but he does not say that it is hopeless."
"Why don't 'ee consult another doctor, Mr. Douglas," said Jarvis;
"perhaps that one ain't up to his work. If it's such a difficult case,
you ought to go to all the best doctors in London, till you find the
one that can cure you. A fine, well-grown young gentleman like you
oughtn't to have much the matter with him. I don't see as it can be
very serious."
"I don't know about that, Jarvis; but in any case I have resolved upon
doing something for you."
"For me, sir! Lor' bless your generous heart, I don't want nothing in
this mortal world."
"But you may, Jarvis," replied Douglas. "You have already been told
that I have provided for you in case of my death."
"Yes, sir, you was so good as to say you had left me an annuity, and it
was very kind of you to think of such a thing, and I'm duly thankful.
But still you see, sir, I can't help looking at it in the light of a
kind of joke, sir; for it ain't in human nature that an old chap like
me is going to outlive a young gentleman like you; and Lord forbid that
it should be in human nature for such a thing to happen."
"We never know what may happen, Jarvis. At any rate, I have provided
against the worst. But as you are getting old, and have worked hard all
your life, I think you must want rest; so, instead of putting you off
till my death, I shall give you your annuity at once, and you may
retire into a comfortable little house of your own, and live the life
of an elderly gentleman, with a decent little income, as soon as you
please.
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