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Chapter IV. A Diary Of The Dying
Butyouareshivering,mypoordearfriends.Ihavebeenwarmunderacoverletallnight,andyoucoldinyourchairs.ButI’llsoonsetyouright."
Thebravelittlecreaturehurriedaway,andpresentlyweheardthesizzlingofakettle.Shewasbacksoonwithfivesteamingcupsofcocoauponatray.
"Drinkthese,"saidshe."Youwillfeelsomuchbetter."
Andwedid.Summerleeaskedifhemightlighthispipe,andweallhadcigarettes.Itsteadiedournerves,Ithink,butitwasamistake,foritmadeadreadfulatmosphereinthatstuffyroom.Challengerhadtoopentheventilator.
"Howlong,Challenger?"askedLordJohn.
"Possiblythreehours,"heansweredwithashrug.
"Iusedtobefrightened,"saidhiswife."ButthenearerIgettoit,theeasieritseems.Don’tyouthinkweoughttopray,George?"
"Youwillpray,dear,ifyouwish,"thebigmananswered,verygently."Weallhaveourownwaysofpraying.Mineisacompleteacquiescenceinwhateverfatemaysendme—acheerfulacquiescence.Thehighestreligionandthehighestscienceseemtouniteonthat."
"Icannottruthfullydescribemymentalattitudeasacquiescenceandfarlesscheerfulacquiescence,"grumbledSummerleeoverhispipe."IsubmitbecauseIhaveto.IconfessthatIshouldhavelikedanotheryearoflifetofinishmyclassificationofthechalkfossils."
"Yourunfinishedworkisasmallthing,"saidChallengerpompously,"whenweighedagainstthefactthatmyownmagnumopus,’TheLadderofLife,’isstillinthefirststages.
