The physician’s ledger

An original fiction passage set in the nineteenth century.

The knocking began before Mr Arden had lit the waiting-room fire. Mrs Cole stood on the step with her son wrapped in a blanket, although the morning was not cold. Behind the desk, Ferris opened the account book and placed one finger beside her name.

“Three visits owing,” he murmured.

Mr Arden did not close the book or pretend not to hear. He brought the boy inside, asked Mrs Cole to describe the night and examined him without haste. When she mentioned a costly tonic praised by a neighbour, Mr Arden left the bright bottle on its shelf. He wrote several instructions on a card, then measured a small quantity from a plain jar.

Ferris watched the level in the jar fall. “There will not be enough for every family that knocks before Saturday.”

Mr Arden replaced the stopper. He had measured no more than he intended. Turning to Mrs Cole, he said that the charge would be entered with the others, but that he would not ask for payment until the mill reopened. She looked from him to the account book.

“I do not want you to call it charity.”

“I have crossed out nothing,” he replied.

He wrote the date beneath the earlier entries and added the new amount. Mrs Cole folded the card into her purse as carefully as if it had been a banknote.

After she had gone, Ferris warned that half the street would soon be at the door. Mr Arden gave no answer until he had counted the remaining packets and checked the coins reserved for fresh supplies. Then he carried a second chair into the waiting room and set it beside his own.

“Mr Arden’s decision to help the family is presented as thoughtful compassion, not professional carelessness.”

Evaluate how successfully the writer presents this view. Support your judgement with detailed references to the passage.