Page:In a Steamer Chair and Other Stories.djvu/241

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A CASE OF FEVER.




Oh, underneath the blood-red sun,
No bloodier deed was ever done!
Nor fiercer retribution sought
The hand that first red ruin wrought.


This is the doctor's story:

The doctors on board the Atlantic liners are usually young men. They are good-looking and entertaining as well, and generally they can play the violin or some other instrument that is of great use at the inevitable concert which takes place about the middle of the Atlantic. They are urbane, polite young men, and they chat pleasantly and nicely to the ladies on board. I believe that the doctor on the Transatlantic steamer has to be there on account of the steerage passengers. Of course the doctor goes to the steerage; but I imagine, as a general thing, he does not spend any more time there than the rules of the service compel him to. The ladies, at least, would be unanimous in

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