Page:In defense of Harriet Shelley, and other essays.djvu/369

 AT THE APPETITE CURE

so affect me; still other hours followed in which I found myself smacking my lips over some tolerably infernal messes. When I had been without food forty-five hours I ran eagerly to the bell and ordered the second dish in the bill, which was a sort of dumplings containing a compost made of caviar and tar.

It was refused me. During the next fifteen hours I visited the bell every now and then and ordered a dish that was further down the list. Always a re fusal. But I was conquering prejudice after preju dice, right along; I was making sure progress; I was creeping up on No, 15 with deadly certainty, and my heart beat faster and faster, my hopes rose higher and higher.

At last when food had not passed my lips for sixty hours, victory was mine, and I ordered No.

15:

&quot; Soft-boiled spring chicken in the egg; six dozen, hot and fragrant!&quot;

In fifteen minutes it was there; and the doctor along with it, rubbing his hands with joy. He said with great excitement:

&quot;It s a cure, it s a cure! I knew I could do it. Dear sir, my grand system never fails never. You ve got your appetite back you know you have; say it and make me happy. &quot;

&quot;Bring on your carrion I can eat anything in the bill!&quot;

&quot;Oh, this is noble, this is splendid but I knew I could do it, the system never fails. How are the birds?&quot;

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