“The telephone bell ringing.”
“I hear no bell,” said the chaplain, rather angrily. “There is no bell ringing.”
The doctor did not answer, but went through into his study, and turned on the lights. Then he took the receiver and mouthpiece off its hook.
“Yes?” he said, in a voice that trembled. “Who is it? Yes: Mr Dawkins is here. I will try and get him to speak to you.”
He went back into the other room.
“Dawkins,” he said, “there is a soul in agony. I pray you to listen. For God’s sake come and listen.”
The chaplain hesitated a moment.
“As you will,” he said.
He took up the receiver and put it to his ear.
“I am Mr Dawkins,” he said.