Page:The Works of H G Wells Volume 11.pdf/178

 Barrack, without assistance; not a cab free at the station; I have had to come down this road in the heat, carrying everything myself, reading all the names on the gates—the most ridiculous and banal names. The Taj, Thyme Bank, The Cedars, and Capernaum, cheek by jowl! It's worse than Freud."

Dr. Barrack expressed further regrets confusedly and indistinctly.

"We have been talking, Sir Alpheus," said Sir Eliphaz, advancing as if to protect the doctor from his specialist, "upon some very absorbing topics. That must be our excuse for this neglect. We have been discussing education—and the universe. Fate, free-will, predestination absolute." It is not every building contractor can quote Milton.

The great surgeon regarded the patentee of Temanite.

"Fate—fiddlesticks!" said Sir Alpheus suddenly and rudely. "That's no excuse for not meeting me." His bright little eyes darted round the company and recognised Mr. Huss. "What! my patient not in bed! Not even in bed! Go to bed, sir! Go to bed!"

He became extremely abusive to Dr. Barrack. "You treat an operation, sir, with a levity!"