speaking of operations-第7节

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memory！　Dropping　in　one　morning　to　replace　the　wrappings　Doctor　Z
said　I　might　smoke　in　moderation。　　So　the　nurse　brought　me　a　cigar；
and　I　lit　it　and　took　one　deep　puff；　but　only　one。　　I　laid　it　aside。
I　said　to　the　nurse：

〃A　mistake　has　been　made　here。　　I　do　not　want　a　cooking　cigar；　you
understand。　　I　desire　a　cigar　for　personal　use。　　This　one　is　full
of　herbs　and　simples；　I　think。　　It　suggests　a　New　England　boiled
dinner；　and　not　a　very　good　New　England　boiled　dinner　at　that。
Let　us　try　again。〃

She　brought　another　cigar。　　It　was　not　satisfactory　either。　　Then
she　showed　me　the　boxan　orthodox　box　containing　cigars　of　a
recognized　and　previously　dependable　brand。　　I　could　only　conclude
that　a　root…and…herb　doctor　had　bought　an　interest　in　the　business
and　was　introducing　his　own　pet　notions　into　the　formula。

But　came　a　dayas　the　fancy　writers　say　when　they　wish　to　convey
the　impression　that　a　day　has　come；　but　hate　to　do　it　in　a
commonplace　mannercame　a　day　when　my　cigar　tasted　as　a　cigar
should　taste　and　food　had　the　proper　relish　to　it；　and　my　appetite
came　back　again　and　found　the　old　home　place　not　so　greatly　changed
after　all。

And　then　shortly　thereafter　came　another　day；　when　I；　all　replete
with　expensive　stitches；　might　drape　the　customary　habiliments　of
civilization　about　my　attenuated　frame　and　go　forth　to　mingle　with
my　fellow　beings。　　I　have　been　mingling　pretty　steadily　ever　since；
for　now　I　have　something　to　talk　abouta　topic　good　for　any
company；　congenial；　an　absorbing　topic。

I　can　spot　a　brother　member　a　block　away。　　I　hasten　up　to　him　and
give　him　the　grand　hailing　sign　of　the　order。　　He　opens　his　mouth
to　speak；　but　I　beat　him　to　it。

〃Speaking　of　operations　〃　I　say。　　And　then　I'm　off。　　Believe　me；
it's　the　life！





End