While John Gilbert was in hospital, he asked his doctor to tell him whether his operation had been successful, but the doctor refused to do so. The following day, the patient asked for a bedside telephone. When he was alone, he telephoned the hospital exchange and asked for Doctor Millington. When the doctor answered the phone, Mr. Gilbert said he was inquiring about a certain patient, a Mr. John Gilbert. He asked if Mr. Gilbert's operation had been successful and the doctor told him that it had been. He then asked when Mr. Gilbert would be allowed to go home and the doctor told him that he would have to stay in hosptial for another two weeks. Then Dr. Millington asked the caller if he was a relative of the patient. 'No,' the patient answered, 'I am Mr. John Gilbert.'
当约翰·吉尔伯特住院的时候，他问医生告诉他手术是否成功，但医生拒绝这样做。第二天，这位病人要了一个床头电话。他独自一人的时候，他给医院总机要求与米灵顿医生。当医生接电话时，吉尔伯特先生说他想询问一个病人的情况，一个名叫约翰·吉尔伯特的先生。他问吉尔伯特先生的手术是否成功，医生告诉他手术了。然后他问吉尔伯特先生什么时候可以回家，医生告诉他，他必须在医院呆两个星期。然后米灵顿医生问打电话的人他是否是病人的亲属。"不是，"病人回答说，"我就是约翰。"
