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A Sick Man received a visit from his Doctor, who asked him how he

was. "Fairly well, Doctor," said he, "but I find I sweat a great

deal." "Ah," said the Doctor, "that's a good sign." On his next

visit he asked the same question, and his patient replied, "I'm

much as usual, but I've taken to having shivering fits, which

leave me cold all over." "Ah," said the Doctor, "that's a good

sign too." When he came the third time and inquired as before

about his patient's health, the Sick Man said that he felt very

feverish. "A very good sign," said the Doctor; "you are doing

very nicely indeed." Afterwards a friend came to see the invalid,

and on asking him how he did, received this reply: "My dear

friend, I'm dying of good signs."

THE TRAVELLERS AND THE PLANE-TREE