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256 setting, but your interest in Lifesomehow I ca'n't help envying you that. It will be many a year before you lose your hold of that."

"Yet surely many human interests survive human Life?" I said.

"Many do, no doubt. And some forms of Science; but only some, I think. Mathematics, for instance: that seems to possess an endless interest: one ca'n't imagine any form of Life, or any race of intelligent beings, where Mathematical truth would lose its meaning. But I fear Medicine stands on a different footing. Suppose you discover a remedy for some disease hitherto supposed to be incurable. Well, it is delightful for the moment, no doubtfull of interestperhaps it brings you fame and fortune. But what then? Look on, a few years, into a life where disease has no existence. What is your discovery worth, then? Milton makes Jove promise too much. Of so much fame in heaven expect thy meed, Poor comfort, when one's 'fame' concerns matters that will have ceased to have a meaning!"

"At any rate, one wouldn't care to make any fresh medical discoveries," said Arthur.