Certain fixed ideas--
"Fixed ideas!" said your Aunt. She has a particularly annoying habit
of repeating one's words. "Benis has always had fixed ideas--though
when he was young," she added with satisfaction, "I knew how to
unfix them. If this absurd rest cure can do anything to cure chronic
stubbornness, I've nothing to say. Why, even his father was easier
to manage."
"Benis," I said, "considers himself very like his father."
"Does he?" retorted your dear Aunt with withering scorn. "He is just
as much like his father as a lemon is like a lobster."
This ended our conversation. But the effect of it is still with me.
Last night I dreamed of lemons and today I prescribed lobster for a
man with acute dyspepsia. I tell you what, you old shirker, it's up
to you to come home and bear your own Aunt. I'm through. Bones.
P.S. The office nurse has been changed since you left. I have now
Miss Watkins, returned from overseas. I think you knew her--name of
Mary? Very good looking--almost her only fault.
P.P.S. What you say about your pleasant old gentle-man with the
umbrella sounds very much like masked epilepsy. Ought to be under
treatment. I should say dangerous.
S.O.S. Aunt Caroline has just 'phoned to know whether all letter-
writing is barred or if not, wouldn't it be helpful if you were to
drop a line to a few of your young-friends? For herself she expects
nothing, but she does think, etc., etc., etc.!
Come back! B.
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