It is one of the alleviations of an hospital doctor's lot that he may
drink tea now and again with the Sister of his ward. "Whatever else you
choose to think of him, you must admit he is a very great man."
I admired our famous Professor, and I admired Hilda Wade: 'twas a
matter of regret to me that my two admirations did not seem in return
sufficiently to admire one another. "Oh, yes," Hilda answered, pouring
out my second cup; "he is a very great man. I never denied that. The
greatest man, on the whole, I think, that I have ever come across."
"And he has done splendid work for humanity," I went on, growing
enthusiastic.
"Splendid work! Yes, splendid! (Two lumps, I believe?) He has done more,
I admit, for medical science than any other man I ever met."
I gazed at her with a curious glance. "Then why, dear lady, do you keep
telling me he is cruel?" I inquired, toasting my feet on the fender. "It
seems contradictory."
She passed me the muffins, and smiled her restrained smile.
"Does the desire to do good to humanity in itself imply a benevolent
disposition?" she answered, obliquely.
"Now you are talking in paradox. Surely, if a man works all his life
long for the good of mankind, that shows he is devoured by sympathy for
his species.
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