[BNP/E3, 27²¹J⁴ – 1-2]

Doctor William Jones was a man who illustrated very conclusively the relativity of human knowledge. In appearance he committed himself to no stature, but when with a shorter man he looked tall, and looked short in the contrary case. He might be what is called the middle size, if this designation were not uncertain, inasmuch as it varies with individual opinions. To make matters clear, Dr. Jones was five feet seven inches in height; and from this fact the reader can extract the denomination he desires. He had a kindly, pompous manner and was thought a very good doctor, inasmuch as he never frightened the patient, a fact owing to the extremely vague way in which he gave opinions. It might be tact that caused this, but there is no denying that ignorance looks the same way.

A very pleasant trait in the character of Dr. Jones, which indeed he shared with some gentlemen of his profession of settling his doubts by the assertion of

[1^v]

when he was doubtful as to the disease from which his patient suffered, he always said it was nervousness. It is a method very common to gentlemen of his profession; it is the disease that varies, not the method.

On this occasion he entered the room {…}

Well what have we here?

Pain in the foot, sir…

“Oh, nervousness

“Begging your pardon, sir, but it ain’t nervousness but an iron as she was a irorin’ with as fell upon her foot

“Quite so, quite so,” said the doctor hastily, “but, mind you,” cried he, severely, “if the iron had not dropped it would have been nervousness and nothing else but nervousness”

[2^v]

“That’s very true, sir,” said Mr. Wilson gruffly, “but seein’ as ‘ow it was the hiron as fell on ‘er foot, it aint nervousness at all. An’ wat’s more” he added with unpleasant philosophy and with great intuition, “if that there same iron ‘ad not falle’n on ‘er foot there ‘nd have been no pain at all.”

[2^r]

Having said this, Mr. Wilson beamed on the company, with great consciousness of a logical feat; as the company had not been looking at him, the smile faded from his face and an expression of injustice possessed his heart[1].

As to Dr. Jones, though he did not know the company had given no ear to the reasoner – he said nothing for fear he spoke more nonsense.

[1] injustice ^/injury\ possessed his heart ^/it\