"I am having the time of my life—seriously—the time that lucky men always have once in their lives."
"Are you very impatient for the morphine?"
"I shall not take it when it comes. It is far better knowing what one knows, remembering what one remembers, and looking forward to what a presumptuous fool cannot help but look forward to—it is far better to keep awake; to lie peacefully in the dark, knowing, remembering, and looking forward."
"And just what are you looking forward to?"
"To a long life and a happy one; to the sounds of a voice; to a sudden coming to life of the whole 'Oxford Book of Verse'; to seeing a face."
There was a long silence.
"Are you there?"
"Yes; but you mustn't talk."
"I think you are tired. Please don't stay any more if you are tired."
"I'm not tired."