An Apple a Day When thinking of an ideal doctor, several characteristics come to mind: thoughtful, compassionate, dedicated, and sacrificial to name a few. Jack Fergusson from "The Horse Dealer's Daughter" exhibits all of these in some form or another. Although the reader can only view a snapshot of his life in this short story, it is clear he is steadfast in his work and devoted to his patients. This is clear when he is asked by Fred Henry why he doesn't stop by often to visit. His reply is, "Me stop in? When I can't stand on my legs, perhaps I shall have a chance." (Meyer 509) Obviously, Jack is kept busy making house calls on sick patients, and therefore, he does not possess the time to make social calls as well. Along with denoting most of his…show more content… "He did not have to work very long before he could feel the breathing begin again in her; she was breathing naturally. He worked a little longer. He could feel her live beneath his hands; she was coming back." (Meyer 513) In the end Jack even sacrifices the remainder of his single life by proposing marriage to Mabel because he feels responsible for her. "He never intended to love her. But now it was over. He had crossed over the gulf to her, and all that he had left behind had shriveled and become void." (Meyer 516) Throughout "The Horse Dealer's Daughter" Jack displays consecration to his profession although sometimes it is only held by sheer wonder of his patients, and it requires the occasional personal loss. However, he is apart of something bigger than himself in saving the lives' of others although he might not always see it in that light. By pulling Mabel out of the pond, he changed the course of his life and quite possibly reversed his mundane life through finding someone to share it
