"'Five minutes before the drop falls,' it seems to say; 'make your mind quite easy; feel chatty,'" said Arthur.
He looked curiously about him, and commented humorously on the selection of literature, till a patient was ushered out, and we were called in.
Dr.Hall was not the least what one is inclined to think a celebrated doctor should be.

Arthur had been describing his ideal to me--"tall and pale; stoops slightly, but very distinguished-looking, with piercing grey eyes, a kindly reassuring manner, and grey whiskers cut straight." Dr.Hall was a small sallow man, with rather an agitated fussy manner, and eyes that never seemed to be looking at you.

He was neat, almost dapper, in his dress, and was rather like the butler in a small establishment.
He put one or two questions to Arthur; stethoscoped him, hovering all about restlessly; suddenly caught up his left hand and pushed aside the first finger; "Ah, cigarette-smoker--we must put a stop to that at once, if you please.

What is your usual allowance ?" "It varies," said Arthur, "but I fear it is never less than twenty." "Four, after this date," said Dr.Hall.
"Just come into my other room a moment," he said presently, and led the way.
Arthur followed, giving me a cheerful wink.

They remained about ten minutes, during which time I speculated, and read a little book about Epping Forest, which was on the table; looked out of the window, and felt rather ill myself.
At last, the tall door creaked, and Arthur came out, followed by the doctor.
"I hope you will see, sir," he said to me, "that Mr.Hamilton is particular in following my directions, if you have any influence with him." "I am afraid I haven't got the temperament of a patient," said Arthur, smiling.