“I don't care, I tell you, except that it ought to be a long way off. I'm not joking, Kent; this is straight. A good long jaunt around the world would do you a barrel of good. Don't stop to think about it, just start, that's all. Will you?”
I laughed. The idea of my starting on a pleasure trip was ridiculous. If ever there was a home-loving and home-staying person it was I. The bare thought of leaving my comfort and my books and Hephzy made me shudder. I hadn't the least desire to see other countries and meet other people. I hated sleeping cars and railway trains and traveling acquaintances. So I laughed.
“Sorry, Jim,” I said, “but I'm afraid I can't take your prescription.”
“Why not?”
“For one reason because I don't want to.”
“That's no reason at all. It doesn't make any difference what you want. Anything else?”
“Yes. I would no more wander about creation all alone than—”
“Take someone with you.”
“Who? Will you go, yourself?”
He shook his head.