Says he suspects you're an old friend of Doc.

Coombe's folks--went to college with the doctor, mebby.

Says that likely Alviry will have you next time she gets a stroke." "Tempting as the prospect is, boy, I fear ..." "Oh, dang it! There's the bell again." He darted out, bumped down the sounding stairs and, while the doctor was still considering the words of his ultimatum, appeared again at the door, this time decorously on duty.
"A call for you, sir," said Bubble primly.
"A--what ?" "A call, sir.

Mrs.Sykes wants to know if the new doctor will call 'round first thing in the morning to see Mrs.Sykes's Ann.

She dunno, but she thinks it's smallpox." "Quit your fooling, boy." "Cross my heart, doctor!" "Smallpox ?" "Oh!" cheerfully, "I don't cross my heart to that.