Any one could of told from that doctor's actions Hank was as good as a dead man already.

But Hank, he makes a big effort, and he says: "Shucks! I'm sixty-eight years old, doctor, and I hain't never had a sick day in my life." But he was awful uneasy too.
The doctor, he says to the feller with him: "Looey, bring me one of the sample size." Looey brung it, the doctor never taking his eyes off'n Hank.

He handed it to Hank, and he says: "A whiskey glass full three times a day, my friend, and there is a good chance for even you.

I give it to you, without money and without price." "But what have I got ?" asts Hank.
"You have spinal meningitis," says the doctor, never batting an eye.
"Will this here cure me ?" says Hank.
"It'll cure ANYTHING," says the doctor.
Hank he says, "Shucks," agin, but he took the bottle and pulled the cork out and smelt it, right thoughtful.

And what them fellers had stopped at our place fur was to have the shoe of the nigh hoss's off hind foot nailed on, which it was most ready to drop off.