“See how simple it is? The rest of it is just memorizing the various parts. But to excite your interest, I’m going to tell you a story. I think when you hear it, you’re going to want to learn the various parts. And anything you really want to learn, you will learn.”
Jean giggled. “You’re quite a philosopher, Gerald,” she said.
“I would rather like to go on into psychiatry if I can,” Gerald said. “That’s why you’re going to find me so helpful today. This is my stuff. But to get back to the story. You’ve undoubtedly had a toothache at one time or another, haven’t you?”
Jean nodded. “I should say I have. I remember a particularly bad one once, when it seemed as if all my teeth hurt.”
“That often happens,” Dr. Benson continued. “Sometimes, you may remember, instead of the infected tooth in the upper jaw, let us say, being the one that hurts, it is the tooth directly below it in the lower jaw that seems to be causing the pain. Why do you suppose that is?”
Jean shook her head. “I can’t imagine.”
Gerald went on. “That’s the fascinating part. What actually happens is this. The area around the infected tooth hurts. It sends a message to the brain, saying ‘Ouch.’ But the brain says, ‘Hold on a minute. You must be confused. You can’t possibly hurt. It must be the other party on your line. Now, let’s see. The other party on your line is the second molar in the lower jaw. That’s the tooth which hurts.’ And, by heaven, that’s what hurts, in spite of the fact that the tooth in the lower jaw is perfectly sound.”
Jean grinned. “Really? That’s fascinating!” she cried.
Gerald stood up. “Now, go home. You can’t study here. You find out why these fascinating things happen. I’ll drill you every day till exams come. We’ll lick ’em, Witch-Gordon and the whole pack of ’em!”
Jean giggled. “Eileen should hear you say that,” she teased.