An eminent doctor successfully attended a sick child. A few days later, the grateful
mother called on the physician. After expressing her realization of the fact that his
services had been of a sort that could not be fully paid for, she continued: “But I
hope you will accept as a token from me this purse which I myself have
embroidered.” The physician replied very coldly to the effect that the fees of the
physician must be paid in money, not merely in gratitude, and he added: “Presents
maintain friendship: they do not maintain a family.” “What is your fee?” the woman
inquired. “Two hundred dollars,” was the answer. The woman opened the purse,
and took from it five $100 bills. She put back three, handed two to the discomfited
physician, then took her departure.