" She
looked at him closely. "You are a curious and not uninteresting object,
Mr. Penway."
Mr. Penway started. "Eh?"
"Object lesson, I should have said. I should like to exhibit you as a
warning to the youth of this country."
"What!"
"From the look of your frame I should imagine that you were once a man
of some physique. Your shoulders are good. Even now a rigorous course
of physical training might save you. I have known more helpless cases
saved by firm treatment. You have allowed yourself to deteriorate much
as did a man named Pennicut who used to be employed here by Mr.
Winfield. I saved him. I dare say I could make something of you. I can
see at a glance that you eat, drink, and smoke too much. You could not
hold out your hand now, at this minute, without it trembling."
"I could," said Mr. Penway indignantly.
He held it out, and it quivered like a tuning-fork.
"There!" said Mrs. Porter calmly. "What do you expect? You know your
own business best, I suppose, but I should like to tell you that if you
do not become a teetotaller instantly, and begin taking exercise, you
will probably die suddenly within a very few years. Personally I shall
bear the calamity with fortitude. Good evening, Mr. Penway."
For some moments after she had gone Mr. Penway sat staring before him.
His eyes wore a glassy look.
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