AMERICAN AND BRITON WERE THE PERFECT PATIENTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 76, 14 December 1949, Page 3

AMERICAN AND BRITON WERE THE PERFECT PATIENTS

When Britain’s Foreign Minister Ernest Bevin accepted an invitation to luncheon at Washington’s National Press Club on his recent visit, two Scotland Yard detectives went to look over security angles. Among other routine details they were told that on arrival Bevin would be escorted straight to a private room upstairs for “a quick one.” Said one Scotland Yard man: “No go.” The chairman of the luncheon committee, William Hillman, asked if anything was wrong with Bevin. “A Bit Short? “No,” said the detective. “A bit short of breath, that’s all.” Hillman asked, “How would it be if I pretended to Bevin I suffered from heart trouble and begged him to ascend the stairs slowly to accommodate me?” The detective beamed,. “Very good of you, sir.” When Bevin arrived Hijlman started him up the stairs. Three steps up/ Hillman halted and said, “Please bear with me, lM[r Bevin, but I must take my time ascending stairs. I have heart trouble.” “So do I,” puffed Bevin. “I have angina.” With the retinue waiting and anxious, • the two continued to stand comparing symptoms. Hillman said he always carried special tablets. Bevin said he did, too. They pulled their pills out and compared them. It Was Odd Bevin exclaimed: “I say, mine are laVger. Odd that Britain should have anything bigger than America!” Stopping again, Hillman confided that his physiciap ordered him to take a couple of drinks daily, adding, “He v told me to cut down on fluids, so 1 ! take bourbon, with just d sip of water.” “The same with me,” said Bdvin. “My doctor insists I drink, so I take Scotch'with no water.” Then, being good 'patients, they did what the doctor, ordered—and Hillman put away his aspirin tablets.