Carlyon Sahib Part 8

[_Pointing to MS. on table._

VERA.

That is what he meant. It is only a thesis for my degree.

ADENE.

So you're at Zurich under my old friend Rheinhardt! I saw him in London, by the way.

VERA.

Is he over in England? I wonder if he would come here?

ADENE.

Judging from what he said, he'd go to the North Pole if you asked him.

VERA.

[_With interest._] Did he speak of me?

ADENE.

Of almost nothing else--you and his enemy Steinmetz; but he forbade me to repeat a word of it. Would you much like to know?

VERA.

Of course I should, immensely. But I'm not going to try and find out if he doesn't want me to.

ADENE.

That's what he said you would say! [_Touching the MS._] When is it to be sent in?

VERA.

I have only a month left, and look what I have to get through! [_Goes to revolving case._

ADENE.

You can't possibly read all these?

[_Goes to her up_ R.

VERA.

I just glance through them. They are reports of foreign hospitals, and I want to see if there is anything on my subjects.

ADENE.

[_Handling one of the volumes._] No index?

VERA.

No such concession to weak human nature! Hardly any headings and no capital letters. It is only mechanical work, looking through them. I do it at night when I am tired.

ADENE.

What is your subject? [_Picking up several volumes._] I'll do these for you.

VERA.

You, Mr. Adene! Your time is ever so much too valuable!

ADENE.

I'm having holidays now, and this is just what I like. What is your subject?

VERA.

No, I can't let you know!

ADENE.

If you don't tell me, I shall make a table of contents all through.

VERA.

I never knew anything so kind. It will take days! [_Rises._

ADENE.

I've spent many happy weeks making indexes. What did you say the subject was?

VERA.

The relation of the brain and the optic nerve, but any brain thing may come in.

ADENE.

Diseases of the brain--very good. I'll have them all marked for you.

VERA.

Many, many thanks. [_He drops a book._] But you need not destroy the ophthalmoscope.

ADENE.

What is it?