He held a chair in one of the medical schools, and his name was growing more and more familiar to the public and the profession every year.
The friends of Mrs.Carlton were divided on the question as to who could best perform the operation, some favoring Doctor Kline and some Doctor Hillhouse.
The only objection urged by any one against the latter was on account of his age.
Mr.and Mrs.Carlton had no doubt or hesitation on the subject.

Their confidence in the skill of Doctor Hillhouse was complete.

As for Doctor Kline, Mr.Carlton, who met him now and then at public dinners or at private social entertainments, had not failed to observe that he was rather free in his use of liquor, drinking so frequently on these occasions as to produce a noticeable exhilaration.

He had even remarked upon the fact to gentlemen of his acquaintance, and found that others had noticed this weakness of Doctor Kline as well as himself.
As time wore on Doctor Hillhouse grew more and more undecided.

No matter how grave or difficult an operation might be, he had always, when satisfied of its necessity, gone forward, looking neither to the right nor to the left.