human
Your field is science, I believe? This Spencer was bound for me years ago, by a clever devil in Pittsburg, of all places; Huxley, too. My Darwin is hit and miss. Mill is here; Hume; the American John Fiske. By chance I have _The Wealth of Nations_. Here is a fine old book, Sir Henry Maine's _Ancient Law_. You know it, of course?
gpt
All--all! I know them all, murmured the little Doctor, standing with two books under his arm and plucking out a third.
human
I look back sometimes and stand amazed at the immensity of my reading. Benjamin Kidd--ha! He won't be in so many libraries when I get through with him. You are rather strong on political economy, I see. Alfred Marshall does very well. Nothing much in philosophy. The _Contrat Social_--absurd.
gpt
Do you care for these? asked Nicolovius, pointing to a row of well-worn works of Bible criticism.
human
Of course the Germans are far in the lead in this field, and I am unhappily compelled to rely on translations. Still I have--
gpt
Here! Look here! I must have this! I must take this book from you! interrupted Queed, rather excitedly dragging a fat blue volume from a lower shelf.
human
Crozier's _Civilization and Progress_. What a find! I need it badly. I'll just take it with me now, shall I not? Eh?
gpt
I shall be only too happy to have you take it, said Nicolovius, blandly,
human
I'll have another look and see, said Queed.
gpt
My copy of Crozier disappeared some time before I left New York, and so far I have been unable to replace it. I am showing him up completely.... Why, this is singular--extraordinary! There's not a history among all these books--not a volume!
human
No, he said slowly,
gpt
I have some reason to dislike history.
human
Why don't you say at once that you hate Life--Man--the Evolution of the Race--and be done with it?
gpt
Would that seem so dreadful to you? The old man's face wore a sad smile.
human
I might say even that, I fear. Try one of those chairs by the fire. I shall not mind telling you how I came by this feeling. You don't smoke, I believe! You miss a good deal, but since you don't know it, how does it matter?