I don t want any souls, indeed, indeed! I don t. I couldn t use them if
I had them; they would be no manner of use to me. I couldn t eat them
or---- He suddenly stopped and the old cunning look spread over his
face, like a wind-sweep on the surface of the water. And doctor, as to
life, what is it after all? When you ve got all you require, and you
know that you will never want, that is all. I have friends--good
friends--like you, Dr. Seward ; this was said with a leer of
inexpressible cunning. I know that I shall never lack the means of
life!
I think that through the cloudiness of his insanity he saw some
antagonism in me, for he at once fell back on the last refuge of such as
he--a dogged silence. After a short time I saw that for the present it
was useless to speak to him. He was sulky, and so I came away.
Later in the day he sent for me. Ordinarily I would not have come
without special reason, but just at present I am so interested in him
that I would gladly make an effort. Besides, I am glad to have anything
to help to pass the time. Harker is out, following up clues; and so are
Lord Godalming and Quincey. Van Helsing sits in my study poring over the
record prepared by the Harkers; he seems to think that by accurate
knowledge of all details he will light upon some clue. He does not wish
to be disturbed in the work, without cause. I would have taken him with
me to see the patient, only I thought that after his last repulse he
might not care to go again. There was also another reason: Renfield
might not speak so freely before a third person as when he and I were
alone.
I found him sitting out in the middle of the floor on his stool, a pose
which is generally indicative of some mental energy on his part. When I
came in, he said at once, as though the question had been waiting on his
lips:--
What about souls? It was evident then that my surmise had been
correct. Unconscious cerebration was doing its work, even with the
lunatic. I determined to have the matter out. What about them
yourself? I asked. He did not reply for a moment but looked all round
him, and up and down, as though he expected to find some inspiration for
an answer.
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