was borne upon the breeze , and pausing , with an effort to look surprised that was an utter failure , Nan said affably : ` Oh , is that you , Tom ? ' ` Looks like it . Thought you might be walking out today ' ; and Tom 's jovial face beamed with pleasure . ` You knew it . How is your throat ? ' asked Nan in her professional tone , which was always a quencher to undue raptures . ` Throat ? Oh , ah ! yes , I remember . It is well . The effect of that prescription was wonderful . I 'll never call homoeopathy a humbug again . ' ` You were the humbug this time , and so were the unmedicated pellets I gave you . If sugar or milk can cure diphtheria in this remarkable manner , I 'll make a note of it . O Tom , Tom , will you never be done playing tricks ? ' ' O Nan , Nan , will you never be done getting the better of me ? ' And the merry pair laughed at one another just as they did in the old times , which always came back freshly when they went to Plumfield . ` Well , I knew I should n't see you for a week if I did n't scare up some excuse for a call at the office . You are so desperately busy all the time I never get a word , ' explained Tom . ` You ought to be busy too , and above such nonsense .
Really , Tom , if you do n't give your mind to your lectures , you 'll never get on , ' said XXXXX soberly . '
Nan Plumfield Tom diphtheria homoeopathy humbug note quencher throat week