Page:The world set free.djvu/274

 Fowler thought. "We are not sure enough yet to do things like that," he said.

"But a day is coming when you will be certain."

Fowler nodded.

"You make me feel as though I was the last of deformity—Deformity is uncertainty—inaccuracy. My body works doubtfully, it is not even sure that it will die or live. I suppose the time is not far off when such bodies as mine will no longer be born into the world."

"You see," said Fowler, after a little pause, "it is necessary that spirits such as yours should be born into the world."

"I suppose," said Karenin, "that my spirit has had its use. But if you think that is because my body is as it is I think you are mistaken. There is no peculiar virtue in defect. I have always chafed against—all this. If I could have moved more freely and lived a larger life in health I could have done more. But some day perhaps you will be able to put a body that is wrong altogether right again. Your science is only beginning. It's a subtler thing than physics and chemistry, and it takes longer to produce its miracles. And meanwhile a few more of us must die in patience."

"Fine work is being done and much of it,"