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Harte, Bret, 1836-1902

"Drift from Two Shores"

And--
and--do you remember the 'Destruction of Sennacherib?' No? Yes
you do. You remember that woman in pink, who pirouetted in the
famous ballet scene! You don't? Why, yes you do! Well, I
imagine, of course I don't know, it's only a summary diagnosis, but
I imagine that our friend with the aneurism has attached himself to
her."
"Doctor, you horrify me."
"There are more things, Mr. Poet, in heaven and earth than are yet
dreamt of in your philosophy. Listen. My diagnosis may be wrong,
but that woman called the other day at my office to ask about him,
his health, and general condition. I told her the truth--and she
FAINTED. It was about as dead a faint as I ever saw; I was nearly
an hour in bringing her out of it. Of course it was the heat of
the room, her exertions the preceding week, and I prescribed for
her. Queer, wasn't it? Now, if I were a writer, and had your
faculty, I'd make something out of that."
"But how is his general health?"
"Oh, about the same. He can't evade what will come, you know, at
any moment.


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