nd unimportant nervous symptoms indicated by the rolling of bread
crumbs."

"I've paid doctors large fees for telling me the same things," he said,
hastily hiding the bread crumbs under the edge of his plate. "I wish
you'd write those items down for me. I'm in earnest about that."

"When did you say you were leaving town?"

"Tomorrow evening. If you'll write out your diagnosis and any
suggestions you may have as to my habits, diet and general course of
life, I promise to put them into practice."

"Your case interests me and I'll consider this matter of advising you."

"I shall expect the document tomorrow afternoon!"

"I should want to be very sure," she laughed, "that you were really
leaving town and that I shouldn't see you for a long time--perhaps never
again!"

"That has an ominous sound, as though you were going to give me a death
sentence! Is my case as bad as that?"

"Not at all; but it calls for that disagreeable frankness we all dislike
in our friends and very properly resent in mere acquaintances. I should
be enormously embarrassed to meet you until after--"

She paused and surveyed him once more, questioningly. The French lady
was telling a story to the whole company, and they were obliged to give
heed to it; and as Archie failed to catch the point of it Miss Perry
very kindly gave him the clue. The talk was general for a few minutes
and then he begged her to finish the sentence that had been left in the
air.

"Oh, it doesn't matter! I think I was going to say that it would be
embarrassing to see you until after you had given my little hints a
trial. I'll say now that just the orderly course of your life, with four
miles a day, no more, no less, isn't a bit likely to get you anywhere.
My treatment for such a case as yours would be very drastic. I'd set you
some real stunts to do if you were my patient. May tells me that they
won't have you in the army, the navy, or the flying corps, but I believe
I could find some excitement for you," she ended musingly.

"As, for example--?" he asked, finding the French lady conspiring with
an attache of the Italian embassy. "To meet the competition of the nerve
specialists, you'll have to be very explicit and tell me exactly what to
do."

"Right there is one of your troubles--living by fixed schedules. You've
never felt the world's rough hand; you don't know life! Clubs and
sanatoriums and week-ends in comfortable houses don't count. You're a
tremendously for