The Price He Paid — page 20: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A DARK SPOT. 11 “Let that alone, Max,” said his father, im- patiently. “You will disarrange the manuscript, and you take no interest in these abstruse scientific studies.” “Because I have no time for them,” answered Max, quietly laying down the papers. “A young assistant-surgeon ata hospital cannot sit all day poring over his books. You know I have my hands pretty full.” | “Time might be found,” remarked Brunnow. “What you lack is inclination.” “Well, inclination, too, if you like. Practice is my study, and I dare say it will get me on as far.” “As far as your ambition takes you, no doubt.” There was an unmistakable slight in the father’s tone. “You will very probably found an extensive practice, and look on your calling altogether in the hight of a lucrative profession. I donot question it in the least.” At this Max evidently had to fight down some ae irritation, but he answered with tolerable calm: oa or “T shall certainly found a practice of my own at the earliest opportunity. You might have done the same twenty years ago, but you preferred to write ~- medical works which bring you in very little money, and at the best only obtain recognition from some eft choice spirits among your colleagues. ‘Tastes diifer.” “Ag our conception of life differs. You do not know whatit means to sacrifice yourself—to live for science.” “TI sacrifice myself for nobody,” said Max, de- fiantly. “I intend conscientiously to fulfill my duties in life, and shall think that, in so doing, I have done enough. You have afancy for useless self-immolation, father. I have none.” “Leave this incorrigible realist to his errors, doc- tor,” struck in George, who from the irritated tone of both men began to fear a scene, such as was not unfrequent between father and son. “I have long given up all attempt to convert him. But now we will neither of us disturb you any longer. Max Gomicbooks (E(@)