t recall Enoch's
appositeness, so I had to ask a simple question, though I felt that by
so doing I was lowering myself in the eyes of the lunatic. "And why
with Enoch?"
"Because he walked with God."
I could not see the analogy, but did not like to admit it, so I harked
back to what he had denied. "So you don't care about life and you
don't want souls. Why not?" I put my question quickly and somewhat
sternly, on purpose to disconcert him.
The effort succeeded, for an instant he unconsciously relapsed into
his old servile manner, bent low before me, and actually fawned upon
me as he replied. "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 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 up on 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 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.
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