Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Doctor's Orders

The seasonal change from autumn is bound to have folks coming down with the winter blues.  They might try a Wodehouse.  It won't hurt; it could help.  Doctor Sally, for example.

II.

Bill Bannister is the sort of fellow for whom Sally Smith M.D. has nothing but scorn.  Bill's a rich loafer, with seemingly nothing better to do with his privileged position than to play at eros.  Dr. Smith is not impressed.  "She found [Bill] pleasant and agreeable. But he was also bone-idle, a well-bred waster, a drone who had nothing better to do with his time than hang about seashore resorts, dangling after perfumed and peroxided females of doubtful character." <1>

Dr. Smith is the kind of woman to whom Bill is wildly attracted. "'She's a poem, Squiffy; all health and fresh air and wholesomeness.' 'Ever spoken to her?' 'No, I haven't the nerve. She's so far above me.' 'Tall girl, eh?' 'Spiritually, you ass!'"

Apart from Sally's unmoved heart, Bill is also affianced, to the formidable Lottie Higginbotham.  His uncle, Sir Hugo Drake, thinks Bill childish.  Badly for Bannister, Dr. Smith shares Sir Drake's opinion, and a misunderstanding about a rocking-horse supports her view.  "'But at present you're just a child [Sally said]. 'I'm not.' 'You are.'... The bell-boy entered. 'Please, sir', said the bell-boy, 'your rocking-horse has arrived.' 'What!' cried Bill. 'There!' said Sally."

Cheer up, Mr. Bannister!  You are in a Wodehouse.  Your difficulties are just being played for laughs, and everything will conclude happily.

III.

A variety of medications are now available to treat the blues, seasonal or otherwise.  I've never seen the Wodehouses in a pharmacy, though.  Better to visit the local library, or bookstore.
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<1>Wodehouse, P.G. Doctor Sally. 1978 Edition: Barrie&Jenkins.

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