Then why do you look hurt whenever I refer to the things that I know about him?
Sir Carlyon may be the Devil himself; I have in him no interest. It is only the children of the Devil that I am sorry for.
[_With sudden constraint._] I have never said a word affecting Miss Carlyon.
I have no material for thinking about her, one way or the other.
[_Interrupting and laying letters on table in front of_ RHEINHARDT.] Post!
[_Taking the letters, while_ ADENE _sits up and looks at them_.] No, you do not open your letters yet!
Goodness knows I don't want to; unless there is one from my sister----
[_Reading the addresses._] "An den Herrn Professor Rheinhardt, M.D., Ph.D." "Dr. Rheinhardt." [_Stopping and looking again._] Ach! no. "_Miss_ Rheinhardt." It is for my assistant. [_To_ SELIM.] Here; for the Mem-sahib!
[SELIM, _who has just reached the door, turns suddenly and drops the letter with signs of fear_. ADENE _crosses towards him_.
Kal[^y]ona Sahib! [_Stands shrinking from the letter._
What matters it to you whose letter it is? Take it!
[_In terror, catching_ ADENE'S _arm_.] Ai! ai! Sahib.
[_Draws_ ADENE _into the doorway and whispers to him._
Yes, yes, I know; but don't be afraid. [_To_ RHEINHARDT.] It is no good; he won't touch that letter!
Won't touch it? Very well, he shall not touch it. [_Takes a plate from among the curiosities on the table and puts letter upon it._] There; take it on this. [_Exit_ SELIM _with plate_.] And you, come back! [ADENE _comes down again to his chair and sits thinking_. RHEINHARDT _continues_.] Gott in Himmel! so long as it does not touch his skin, so long it is all right.
Rheinhardt, who _is_ this assistant of yours, whom I never see?
Who my assistant is?--she was a pupil of mine.
If you would allow it, I would like to see her.
[_After a pause._] Very well; I also wish you to see her. But [_deliberately_] you have at present no material for thinking about her--one way or the other. [ADENE _starts_.] I will give you some. When first I heard of Steinmetz's experimentations, and saw his mistakes, I said, "If I had the right assistant, I could save Adene." But I had him not. I wanted--ah, so many things! You will not understand: a doctor who should be also a nurse, who should know my ways--and more. There was just one person, but she was just the one person I could not ask. No. I was too angry.