In the November after the death of
their baby his father suddenly died. On receiving the news of his fatal
illness Anthony hurried to Eastwich without even returning home to
fetch a warm coat, and as a result took a severe cold. During the winter
following the funeral this cold settled on his lungs. At last towards
the spring the crisis came. He was taken seriously ill, and on his
partial recovery several doctors held a consultation over him. Their
verdict was that he must give up his profession, which fortunately now
he was in a position to do, live in the country and as much in the open
air as possible, spending the worst months of the winter either in the
South of England or in some warmer land. These grave and learned men
told him outright that his lungs were seriously attacked, and that he
must choose between following their advice and a speedy departure from
the world.
Anthony would have defied them, for that was his nature. He wished to
go on with his work and take the risk. But Barbara persuaded him to
obedience. She said she agreed with him that the matter of his health
was greatly exaggerated. At the same time, she pointed out that as they
were now very well off she saw no reason why he should continue to slave
at a profession which might or might not bring him an adequate return
fifteen or twenty years later.
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