a wicked old man finding himself ill sent for a physician, who

prescribed for him and went away. then the wicked old man sent for

another physician, saying nothing of the first, and an entirely1

different treatment was ordered. this continued for some weeks,

the physicians visiting him on alternate days and treating him for

two different disorders2, with constantly enlarging doses of

medicine and more and more rigorous nursing. but one day they

accidently met at his bedside while he slept, and the truth coming

out a violent quarrel ensued.

"my good friends," said the patient, awakened3 by the noise of the

dispute, and apprehending4 the cause of it, "pray be more

reasonable. if i could for weeks endure you both, can you not for

a little while endure each other？ i have been well for ten days,

but have remained in bed in the hope of gaining by repose5 the

strength that would justify6 me in taking your medicines. so far i

have touched none of it."