The physician let him talk on for some time; then he took his wrist, thus." Benedetto took the wrist of the one who had spoken first, and continued.
"He took it, and held it a moment in silence; then he said to him, 'My friend, your heart is affected.

I read it first in your face, and now I feel the hammering of the carpenter who is making your coffin!" The young man whose pulse he was pressing could not refrain from wincing.
"I do not mean you," said Benedetto.

"The physician was speaking to the man who does not believe in medicine.

And he continued, thus: 'Do you come to me for health and life?
I will give you both.

Are you not come for that?
Then I have no time for you!' The man, who had always believed himself to be well, turned pale, and said.