The doctor patiently put up with all this without saying a word. He also put up with all the passing of drinks, and watching for glasses, and going off for biscuits, and flirting that followed. But a few seconds after the stranger had gone to take Mrs. Budger to her carriage, he ran swiftly from the room. All of the anger that had been growing inside him now came bubbling out, almost as if he was sweating from the strength of his feelings.

The stranger had taken Mrs Budger to her carriage and was returning, with Mr Tupman walking next to him. The stranger said something quietly, and laughed. The little doctor wanted to kill him. He was angry but happy, because he saw how to do this.

'Sir!' said the doctor, in a frightening voice. He took out his card, and went to a quieter part of the passage, 'my name is Slammer, Doctor Slammer, sir - 97th Regiment - Chatham Barracks - my card, Sir, my card.' He would have said more, but he was so angry he could hardly speak.

'Ah!' replied the stranger coolly, 'Slammer - thank you very much. So polite. I'm not ill now, Slammer - but when I am I will certainly call on you.'