“No. I happen to have been born with my own living to make in the world, and when I had worked my way through the medical school, I only too gladly became ‘Interne’ here, not because it is what I wish to do, but because I need the salary.”
“Yet it seems such a noble work.”
“Don’t think I depreciate it, but what I am doing is only remedial What I hope to do is to prevent.”
“How is it possible?”
“For four years my every free hour has been given to studying what is now called tuberculosis, and my dream is to demonstrate that it is in fact the parent disease—a breaking down—disintegration—of the bodily substance—the tissue, or cell—and to give to the world a specific.”
“How splendid!” exclaimed Constance. “And you believe you can?”
“Every day makes me more sure that both demonstration and specific are possible —but it is unlikely that I shall be the one to do it.”
“I do not see why?”
“Because there are many others studying the disease who are free from the necessity of supporting themselves, and so can give far more time and money to the investigation than is possible for me. Even the scientist must be rich in these days, Miss Durant, if he is to win the great prizes.”
“Won’t you tell me something about yourself?” requested Constance, impulsively.