Time out of mind the Raveloe doctor had been a Kimble; Kimble was inherently a doctor's name; and it was difficult to contemplate firmly the melancholy fact that the actual Kimble had no son, so that his practice might one day be handed over to a successor with the incongruous name of Taylor or Johnson.

But in that case the wiser people in Raveloe would employ Dr.Blick of Flitton--as less unnatural.
"Did you speak to me, my dear ?" said the authentic doctor, coming quickly to his wife's side; but, as if foreseeing that she would be too much out of breath to repeat her remark, he went on immediately--"Ha, Miss Priscilla, the sight of you revives the taste of that super-excellent pork-pie.

I hope the batch isn't near an end." "Yes, indeed, it is, doctor," said Priscilla; "but I'll answer for it the next shall be as good.

My pork-pies don't turn out well by chance." "Not as your doctoring does, eh, Kimble ?--because folks forget to take your physic, eh ?" said the Squire, who regarded physic and doctors as many loyal churchmen regard the church and the clergy--tasting a joke against them when he was in health, but impatiently eager for their aid when anything was the matter with him.

He tapped his box, and looked round with a triumphant laugh.
"Ah, she has a quick wit, my friend Priscilla has," said the doctor, choosing to attribute the epigram to a lady rather than allow a brother-in-law that advantage over him.