Andrew felt a great desire for the friendship of another doctor. Denny was abroad, having taken a post with an oil company, and Hope was now working in the north of England. So Andrew decided to telephone Freddie Hamson.

'This is Manson - Andrew Manson. I've bought a practice in London,' he told him.

'Manson! In London! Good heavens, man! Why didn't you telephone me before?'

'Oh, I've been too busy!' Andrew smiled to himself. 'I'm married now, Freddie.'

'So am I! We must meet at once. Can you come to dinner on Thursday? Good!'

Christine expressed no pleasure when Andrew told her of the invitation.

'You go alone, Andrew,' she suggested.

'Oh nonsense! I know that you don't like Freddie very much, but there'll be other people there as well - probably other doctors.'

When they arrived at Hamson's grand house on Thursday night, Freddie greeted them most warmly. 'It's lovely to see you people again. How do you like my house, old man? Didn't I tell you that I would succeed?'

It looked a most expensive house. Andrew was about to express his admiration when Mrs Hamson entered. Almost at once, the other guests arrived. Introductions followed, with much talk and laughter. Then they went into dinner, a good meal with expensive food and drink.

After two glasses of wine, Andrew felt very happy. He listened with interest when Ivory and Deedman, two well-known and successful doctors, talked loudly about their medical experiences. He said to himself: 'I must get to know these men better. They're so rich and successful!'

'I played a clever trick the other day,' said Ivory. 'I persuaded a patient to have a course of 12 treatments. I told him that the usual charge for this was fifty pounds, but that I would be willing to reduce the price to forty-five pounds if he paid me immediately. He gave me a cheque at once!'

'That's the way to make money!' Freddie laughed. 'And a bottle of medicine would have done him just as much good!'

Ivory smiled. 'Yes - and the price of the medicine is under a pound!'

'Most people,' remarked Deedman, 'do not realize how little these treatments really cost. The important thing is to make them think that they are expensive!'

Ivory and Hamson agreed. 'Exactly! The more you charge a patient, the more confidence he has in you!'