"
"That I do not deny, Isabel," answered the doctor; "what I aim at is to
simplify them as much as possible. Thanks to my new diet I shall never
have to waste time to procure the wherewithal to fill my stomach. Nuts and
raw fruit are easily procured, and contain all the elements essential to
physical health. I am sure you will agree with me on this point when you
have considered it at length. Then again in the matter of dress, what
could be more hateful or harmful than our modern costume? It is awful to
think of the lives wasted in useless toil to produce the means by which a
so-called man of fashion contrives to make himself hideous and ridiculous
in the eyes of all sensible people. Besides there is no doubt that we are
all the creatures of our surroundings, and so the influence of food and
dress on character must be inestimable."
"Oh, doctor, do not harp so on this dress and food question!" I could not
help exclaiming. "Really, seriously, I think you have let your mind run
somewhat too much in a groove lately. Talk of vegetarianism and dress
reform! why, what you need, it seems to me, is a steak at the Holborn and
a starched shirt collar! Seriously, it grieves me to think that you should
be giving yourself up so entirely to such notions. I consider you could do
far more good to the Cause by keeping up your practice, pursuing your
studies, and working on the lines you used to be so successful in."
Hardly had I spoken than I regretted the hastiness of my remark.
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