As the new master
of Tralee stepped forward, the Young Doctor could not help noticing how
large and hairy were the ears that stood far out from the devilish head.
It was a huge, steel-twisted, primitive man, who somehow gave the
impression of a gorilla. The face was repulsive in its combination of
surly smugness, as shown by the long upper lip, by a repellent darkness
round the small, furtive eyes, by a hardness in the huge, bearded jaw,
and by a mouth of primary animalism.
The Mayor caught sight of the Young Doctor, and he stopped the
incongruous pair as they moved to the station doorway, the girl in front,
as though driven.
"Mr. Mazarine, you've got to know the man who counts for more in Askatoon
than anybody else; Doctor, you've got to know Mr. Mazarine," said the
generous Mayor.
Repugnance was in full possession of the Young Doctor, but he was
scientific and he was philosophic, if nothing else. He shook hands with
Mazarine deliberately. If he could prevent it, there should be, where he
was concerned, no jealousy, such as Mazarine had shown towards the Mayor,
in connection with this helpless, exquisite creature in the grip of hard
fate. Shaking hands with the girl with only a friendly politeness in his
glance, he felt a sudden eager, clinging clasp of her fingers. It was
like lightning, and gone like lightning, as was the look that flashed
between them.
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