my dear sir;
and be cautious that no cotton gets in, or it may p'ison the wownd. The shirt
has been made with cotton thread, but you can easily pick it out.«
    Richard assumed the office, with a nod at his cousin, that said, quite
plainly, »you see, this fellow can't get along without me;« and began to scrape
the linen on his knee, with great diligence.
    A table was now spread, with vials, boxes of salve, and divers surgical
instruments. As the latter appeared, in succession, from a case of red morocco,
their owner held up each implement, to the strong light of the chandelier, near
to which he stood, and examined it, with the nicest care. A red silk
handkerchief was frequently applied to the glittering steel, as if to remove
from the polished surfaces, the least impediment, which might exist, to the most
dedicate operation. After the rather scantily furnished pocket-case, which
contained these instruments, was exhausted, the physician turned to his
saddle-bags, and produced various vials, filled with liquids, of the most
radiant colours. These were arranged, in due order, by the side of the murderous
saws, knives, and scissors, when Elnathan stretched his long body to its utmost
elevation, placing his hand on the small of his back, as if for support, and
looked about him, to discover what effect this display of professional skill,
was likely to produce on the spectators.
    »Upon my wort, toctor,« observed Major Hartmann, with a roguish roll of his
little black eyes, but with every other feature of his face in a state of
perfect rest, »put you have a very pretty pocket-pook of tools tere, and your
toctor-stuff glitters, as if it was petter for ter eyes as for ter pelly.«
    Elnathan gave a hem, - one that might have been equally taken, for that kind
of noise, which cowards are said to make, in order to awaken their dormant
courage, or for a natural effort, to clear the throat: if for the latter, it was
successful; for, turning his face to the veteran German, he said -
    »Very true, Major Hartmann, very true, sir; a prudent man will always strive
to make his remedies agreeable to the eyes, though they may not altogether suit
the stomach. It is no small part of our art, sir,« and he now spoke with the
confidence of a man who understood his subject, »