'Still, I should be able to think back.
I had my first sore throat this year the night I saw Mr.Irving at the Lyceum, and that was on my wife's birthday, the 3d of October.

How long ago is that ?' "'Why, that is more than three months ago.

Are you sure of the date ?'" "'Quite certain,' I told him; 'so, you see, I had my first sore throat before I risked not smoking again.'" "'I don't understand this,' he said.

'Do you mean to say that in the beginning of May you were taking my prescription daily?
You were not missing a day now and then--forgetting to order a new stock of cigars when the others were done, or flinging them away before they were half smoked?
Patients do such things.' "'No, I assure you I compelled myself to smoke.

At least----' "'At least what?
Come, now, if I am to be of any service to you, there must be no reserve.' "'Well, now that I think of it, I was only smoking one cigar a day at that time.' "'Ah! we have it now,' he cried.