Веснянки
Chapter XVII
Justasitunclosed,McLeancamehurryingdownthehallandtothesurgeon,butwithoneglanceathisfacehesteppedbackindismay;whiletheAngel,whohadarisen,sanktotheseatagain,toodazedtocomeforward.Themenfacedeachother.TheAngel,withpartedlipsandfrightenedeyes,bentforwardintenseanxiety.
“I—Ithoughthewasdoingnicely?”falteredMcLean.
“Heboretheoperationwell,”repliedthesurgeon,“andhiswoundsarenotnecessarilyfatal.Itoldyouthatyesterday,butIdidnottellyouthatsomethingelseprobablywouldkillhim;anditwill.Heneednotdiefromtheaccident,buthewillnotlivethedayout.”
“Butwhy?Whatisit?”askedMcLeanhurriedly.“Wealldearlylovetheboy.Wehavemillionsamongustodoanythingthatmoneycanaccomplish.Whymusthedie,ifthosebrokenbonesarenotthecause?”
“ThatiswhatIamgoingtogiveyoutheopportunitytotellme,”repliedthesurgeon.“Heneednotdiefromtheaccident,yetheisdyingasfastashissplendidphysicalconditionwillpermit,anditisbecausehesoevidentlyprefersdeathtolife.Ifhewerefullofhopeandambitiontolive,myworkwouldbeeasy.Ifallofyoulovehimasyouproveyoudo,andthereisunlimitedmeanstogivehimanythinghewants,whyshouldhedesiredeath?”
“Ishedying?”demandedMcLean.
“Heis,”saidthesurgeon.“Hewillnotlivethisdayout,unlesssomestrongreactionsetsinatonce.Heissolow,thatpreferringdeathtolife,naturecannotovercomehisinertia.Ifheistolive,hemustbemadetodesirelife.
