DOI article:
Wells, H. G.: A slip under the microscope
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.27811#0237
By H. G. Wells 233
listening to the discussion. She did not notice the hunchback,
because she was glancing from Hill to his interlocutor. Hill's
consciousness of her presence betrayed itself to her only in his
studious ignorance of the fact ; but she understood that, and it
pleased her. " I see no reason," said he, " why a man should live
like a brute because he knows of nothing beyond matter, and does
not expect to exist a hundred years hence."
" Why shouldn't he ? " said the fair-haired student.
" Why he ? " said Hill.
" What inducement has he ? "
" That's the way with all you religious people. It's all a
business of inducements. Cannot a man seek after righteousness
for righteousness' sake ? "
There was a pause. The fair man answered with a kind of
vocal padding, " But—you see—inducement—when I said induce-
ment," to gain time. And then the hunchback came to his
rescue and inserted a question. He was a terrible person in the
debating society with his questions, and they invariably took one
form—a demand for a definition. " What's your definition of
righteousness ? " said the hunchback at this stage.
Hill experienced a sudden loss of complacency at this question,
but even as it was asked relief came in the person of Brooks, the
laboratory attendant, who entered by the preparation-room door,
carrying a number of freshly killed guinea-pigs by their hind legs,
" This is the last batch of material this session," said the youngster,
who had not previously spoken. Brooks advanced up the laboratory,
smacking down a couple of guinea-pigs at each table. The rest
of the class, scenting the prey from afar, came crowding in by the
lecture theatre door, and the discussion perished abruptly as the
students who were not already in their places hurried to them to
secure the choice of a specimen. There was a noise of keys rattling
on
listening to the discussion. She did not notice the hunchback,
because she was glancing from Hill to his interlocutor. Hill's
consciousness of her presence betrayed itself to her only in his
studious ignorance of the fact ; but she understood that, and it
pleased her. " I see no reason," said he, " why a man should live
like a brute because he knows of nothing beyond matter, and does
not expect to exist a hundred years hence."
" Why shouldn't he ? " said the fair-haired student.
" Why he ? " said Hill.
" What inducement has he ? "
" That's the way with all you religious people. It's all a
business of inducements. Cannot a man seek after righteousness
for righteousness' sake ? "
There was a pause. The fair man answered with a kind of
vocal padding, " But—you see—inducement—when I said induce-
ment," to gain time. And then the hunchback came to his
rescue and inserted a question. He was a terrible person in the
debating society with his questions, and they invariably took one
form—a demand for a definition. " What's your definition of
righteousness ? " said the hunchback at this stage.
Hill experienced a sudden loss of complacency at this question,
but even as it was asked relief came in the person of Brooks, the
laboratory attendant, who entered by the preparation-room door,
carrying a number of freshly killed guinea-pigs by their hind legs,
" This is the last batch of material this session," said the youngster,
who had not previously spoken. Brooks advanced up the laboratory,
smacking down a couple of guinea-pigs at each table. The rest
of the class, scenting the prey from afar, came crowding in by the
lecture theatre door, and the discussion perished abruptly as the
students who were not already in their places hurried to them to
secure the choice of a specimen. There was a noise of keys rattling
on