noon
According to his rigid logic , sickness was more the result of indulgence than self-denial . He proposed to have the credit of his abnegations . Therefore he directed his perverse will to the contemplation of the rational aspect of his condition , and presently had managed to convince himself that if he did not entertain the belief of suffering , this untoward condition would cease to exist . As this singular being combatted all that was unwelcome to this point of view , the grim lines tightened about the corners of his mouth , the deep fissures in his forehead established a communication with the obstinate wrinkles at the root of his nose , and by noon he was well on his way to the mastery of his indisposition , and by nightfall he scandalized the young medical attendant by standing up to receive him . Extending to himself a chuckling tribute of his resolution , he received the incredulity of his nephew as additional indorsement when the latter made his appearance that evening , accompanied by the colorless negation of a man whom he could scarcely persuade himself to believe was the celebrated Gratz . However , no more ideal countenance could have been created for the purposes to which it was applied by its owner . Pallid , expressionless , vacant , it was as nearly a canvas upon which to delineate almost anything in the range of emotion as it was possible for a visage of flesh and blood to be .