Resignation

The physician, afer an examination, addressed the wife of the sick man in a tone of grave finality:

“I am afraid your husband is beyond help. I can hold out no hope of his recovery.”

This candor was offensive to the patient, who protested with what violence was permitted by a very scanty breath:

“Here, hold on! What are you gittin’ at? I ain’t a-goin’ to snuff out!”

The wife interposed in a soothing voice:

“You leave it to the doctor, dearie—he knows best.”