Chapter 30

           "Quiveutdelasserhorsdepropos,lasse."—PASCAL.

           Mr.Casaubonhadnosecondattackofequalseveritywiththefirst,andinafewdaysbegantorecoverhisusualcondition.ButLydgateseemedtothinkthecaseworthagreatdealofattention.Henotonlyusedhisstethoscope(whichhadnotbecomeamatterofcourseinpracticeatthattime),butsatquietlybyhispatientandwatchedhim.ToMr.Casaubon’squestionsabouthimself,herepliedthatthesourceoftheillnesswasthecommonerrorofintellectualmen—atooeagerandmonotonousapplication:theremedywas,tobesatisfiedwithmoderatework,andtoseekvarietyofrelaxation.Mr.Brooke,whosatbyononeoccasion,suggestedthatMr.Casaubonshouldgofishing,asCadwalladerdid,andhaveaturning-room,maketoys,table-legs,andthatkindofthing.

           "Inshort,yourecommendmetoanticipatethearrivalofmysecondchildhood,"saidpoorMr.Casaubon,withsomebitterness."Thesethings,"headded,lookingatLydgate,"wouldbetomesuchrelaxationastow-pickingistoprisonersinahouseofcorrection."

           "Iconfess,"saidLydgate,smiling,"amusementisratheranunsatisfactoryprescription.Itissomethingliketellingpeopletokeepuptheirspirits.PerhapsIhadbettersay,thatyoumustsubmittobemildlyboredratherthantogoonworking."

           "Yes,yes,"saidMr.Brooke."GetDorotheatoplayback.gammonwithyouintheevenings.