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[Pityingly]

Ned!

[Indifferent and cynical]

But you meant my present dabbling about. You know better than to call that work. It’s merely my hobby. Our backing Sam has made Marsden and me so wealthy that we’re forced to take up hobbies. Marsden goes in for his old one of dashing off genteel novels, while I play at biology. Sam argued that golf would be healthier and less nonsensical for me, but you insisted on biology. And give it its due, it has kept me out in the open air and been conducive to travelling and broadening my mind!

[Then forcing a smile]

But I’m exaggerating. I really am interested, or I’d never keep financing the Station. And when I’m down there I do work hard, helping Preston. He’s doing remarkable work already, and he’s still in his twenties. He’ll be a big man—

[His bitterness cropping up again]

at least if he takes my advice and never carries his experiments as far as human lives!

[In a low voice]

How can you be so bitter, Ned—on Gordon’s birthday?

[Thinking cynically]

She expects me to love the child she deliberately took from me and gave to another man! no, thank you,