“Just enough—”
“No, Stephen.”
“—Enough to dull it—just a little? I don't ask for enough to make me sleep—not even to make me doze. You have your needle; haven't you, doctor?”
“Yes.”
“Then, just this once—for the last time.”
“No.”
“Why? Are you afraid? You needn't be, doctor. I don't care for it except to give me a little respite, a little rest on a night like this. I'm so tired of this ache. If I could only have some sleep, and wake up in good shape, I'd stand a better chance of fighting.... Wait, doctor! Just one moment. I don't mean to be a coward, but I've had a hard fight, and—I'm tired.... If you could see your way to helping me—”
“I dare not help you any more that way.”
“Not this once?”
“Not this once.”