. The
same dietetic rules apply to them as to the adult."

"I recognize Mrs. Tiny Weyaton; then you, Mrs. Knott Little."

[Sidenote: _Mrs. Weyaton_]

"We have heard you say that fat people eat too much, and still we eat so
little?"

[Sidenote: _Me Again_]

"Yes, you eat too much, _no matter how little it is_, even if it be only
one bird-seed daily, _if you store it away as fat_. For, hearken; food,
and food only (sometimes plus alcohol) maketh fat. Not water--not
air--verily, nothing but food maketh fat. (And between you and me, Mrs.
Weyaton, just confidential like--don't tell it--we know that the small
appetite story is a myth.)"

[Sidenote: _Mrs. Knott Little_]

"But, Doctor, is it not true that some individuals inherit the tendency
to be fat, and can not help it, no matter what they do?"

[Sidenote: _Doctor_]

"Answer to first part--Yes.

"Answer to second part--No! It is not true that they cannot help it;
they have to work a little harder, that is all. It is true that being
fat is a disease with some, due to imperfect working of the internal
secretory glands, such as the thyroid, generative glands, etc.; but that
is not true fat such as you have. Yours, and that of the other members
who are interested, is due to overeating and underexercising.

[Sidenote: _Not_?]

"Those diseased individuals should be under the care of a physician.
Probably the secretory glands are somewhat inactive or sluggish in the
healthy fat individual. I use the word _healthy_ here in
contradistinction to the other type. In reality, individuals very much
overweight are not really healthy, and they should also visit their
physician."

"Yes, Mrs. Ima Gobbler?"

[Sidenote: _Mrs. Ima Gobbler_]

[Sidenote: _Doctor Dear_]

"But, Doctor dear, what's the use of dieting? I only get fatter after I
stop."

(Answering delicate like, for I'm fond of her and she is sensitive):

"You fat--! You make me fatigued! _You never diet long enough_ to get
out of the fireless cooker class. _If you did, you wouldn't."_

"Is there anyone else who would like to be recognized? No?"

[Sidenote: _Nothing That I Don't Know_]

It is well. I will probably answer more as I go along, for there is
nothing that I don't know or haven't studied or tried in the reducing
line. I know everything you have to contend with--how you no sooner
congratulate yourself on your will power, after you have dragged
yourself by the window with an exposure of luscious fa