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An Old Woman became almost totally blind from a disease of the

eyes, and, after consulting a Doctor, made an agreement with him

in the presence of witnesses that she should pay him a high fee

if he cured her, while if he failed he was to receive nothing.

The Doctor accordingly prescribed a course of treatment, and

every time he paid her a visit he took away with him some article

out of the house, until at last, when he visited her for the last

time, and the cure was complete, there was nothing left. When the

Old Woman saw that the house was empty she refused to pay him his

fee; and, after repeated refusals on her part, he sued her before

the magistrates for payment of her debt. On being brought into

court she was ready with her defence. "The claimant," said she,

"has stated the facts about our agreement correctly. I undertook

to pay him a fee if he cured me, and he, on his part, promised to

charge nothing if he failed.