The successful physician was a hard man. Determined and unwavering, he had made a success of his practice by applying the strict rules of business of which many of his colleagues remained ignorant.
Once, after he had attend a sick child, the grateful mother called at his office. Expressing her thankfulness, she remarking that his services had been such that they could not be fully paid for, and continued:
"But I hope you will accept as a token from me this purse which I myself have embroidered."
The doctor replied very coldly to the effect that the fees of a physician must be paid in money, not merely in gratitude, and added:
"Presents maintain a friendship. They do not maintain a family."
"What is your fee?"
"One hundred dollars," was the answer.
The woman opened the purse, and from it removed ten $100 bills. Replacing nine in the purse, she handed one to the disconcerted physician, and walked out without another word.