And though you may say there are too many doctors on the Flat,
still, if the place goes on growing as it is doing, there'll soon be
room for more; and then, if it isn't you, it'll just be some one else.
And that DOES seem a pity, when you are so clever--so much, much
cleverer than other people! Yes, I know all about it; Mrs. Beamish told
me it was you I owed my life to, not Dr. Rogers"--at which Mahony
winced, indignant that anyone should have betrayed to Polly how near
death she had been. "Oh, I DO want people to know you for what you
really are!" said little Polly.
"Pussy, I believe she has ambitions for her husband," said Mahony to
Palmerston.
"Of course I have. You say you hate Ballarat, and all that, but have you
ever thought, Richard, what a difference it would make if you were in a
better position? You think people look down on you, because you're in
trade. But if you were a doctor, there'd be none of that. You'd call
yourself by your full name again, and write it down on the visiting list
at Government House, and be as good as anybody, and be asked into
society, and keep a horse. You'd live in a bigger house, and have a room
to yourself and time to read and write. I'm quite sure you'd make lots
of money and soon be at the top of the tree. And after all, dear
Richard, I don't want to go home. I would much rather stay here and look
after Jerry, and dear Ned, and poor John's children," said Polly,
falling back as a forlorn hope on her own preference.
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