Chapter 26

           "HebeatsmeandIrailathim:Oworthysatisfaction!woulditwereotherwise—thatIcouldbeathimwhileherailedatme.—"

           —TroilusandCressida.

           ButFreddidnotgotoStoneCourtthenextday,forreasonsthatwerequiteperemptory.FromthosevisitstounsanitaryHoundsleystreetsinsearchofDiamond,hehadbroughtbacknotonlyabadbargaininhorse-flesh,butthefurthermisfortuneofsomeailmentwhichforadayortwohaddeemedmeredepressionandheadache,butwhichgotsomuchworsewhenhereturnedfromhisvisittoStoneCourtthat,goingintothedining-room,hethrewhimselfonthesofa,andinanswertohismother’sanxiousquestion,said,"Ifeelveryill:IthinkyoumustsendforWrench."

           Wrenchcame,butdidnotapprehendanythingserious,spokeofa"slightderangement,"anddidnotspeakofcomingagainonthemorrow.HehadaduevaluefortheVincys’house,butthewariestmenareapttobedulledbyroutine,andonworriedmorningswillsometimesgothroughtheirbusinesswiththezestofthedailybell-ringer.Mr.Wrenchwasasmall,neat,biliousman,withawell-dressedwig:hehadalaboriouspractice,anirascibletemper,alymphaticwifeandsevenchildren;andhewasalreadyratherlatebeforesettingoutonafour-milesdrivetomeetDr.MinchinontheothersideofTipton,thedeceaseofHicks,aruralpractitioner,havingincreasedMiddlemarchpracticeinthatdirection.Greatstatesmenerr,andwhynotsmallmedicalmen?Mr.