He was one of those happy sons of Aesculapius who never pull long faces, but always say the most alarming things in the most delightful way.
"Ah," said he, hardly glancing at the patient, and shaking hands airily with Railsford, "this is a case of the master being kept in, and sending to the doctor for his _exeat_, eh?
Sorry I can't give it to you at present, my dear fellow; rather a bad case." "What is it ?" asked Railsford.
"Our old friend, diphtheria; knowing young dog, to put it off till breaking-up day.

What an upset for us all if he'd come out with it yesterday! Not profitable from my point of view, but I daresay the boys will have it more comfortably at home than here, after all.

This must have been coming on for some time.

How long has he been feverish ?" "I don't know.

I only found him like this half an hour ago, and want your advice what to do." The doctor, almost for the first time, looked at the restless invalid on the bed and hummed.
"Dr Ponsford has gone to the Isle of Wight, I hear," said he.
"I really don't know where he's gone," said Railsford impatiently.
"I wish _I_ could get a holiday.