'It was driving me mad. And now I can't give them up.'
''Not so bad as that! One doesn't form fatal habits at twenty-five. Think again. Were you ever frightened as a child?'
'I don't remember. It began when I was a boy.'
'With or without the spasm? By the way, do you mind describing the spasm again?'
'Well,' said Conroy, twisting in the chair, 'I'm no musician, but suppose you were a violin-string--vibrating--and some one put his finger on you? As if a finger were put on the naked soul! Awful!'
'So's indigestion--so's nightmare--while it lasts.'
'But the horror afterwards knocks me out for days. And the waiting for it ... and then this drug habit! It can't go on!' He shook as he spoke, and the chair creaked.
'My dear fellow,' said the doctor, 'when you're older you'll know what burdens the best of us carry. A fox to every Spartan.'
'That doesn't help me. I can't! I can't!' cried Conroy, and burst into tears.
'Don't apologise,' said Gilbert, when the paroxysm ended. 'I'm used to people coming a little--unstuck in this room.'