“Doctor, do you think I’ve sold my conscience?”
“Marvin, don’t talk like an ass.”
“But she thinks I’m too obedient.”
“Obedience saves most men, as Sophocles long ago remarked. But we see her point, and I’ll talk to her about it.”
Chapter 51. Antimony
As the doctor was about to leave the island he heard a distant bark, and saw Agricola emerge from the cedars and come tearing down to the boat-house. The dog caught sight of him and plunged into the water. He gained the harbor, dashed up the rocks, and shook himself into rainbows. He panted and whined, and finally seized his master by the sleeve.
“Calm yourself, boy. If you had a few sweat-glands, you wouldn’t pant so hard.”
He rowed the dog across in Marvin’s skiff, and followed him into the woods. Having mounted the hill and descended past the garden, Agricola sprang across the fire-ditch and continued into the balsams.
When at last they reached the creek, the man was panting as hard as the dog. The creek was wide at that point, and Agricola looked back inquiringly.
The scholar hesitated, but since he thought that some child might be in trouble, he answered the look.