I
--You know that he is not at all well, said the waiter, seeing
Prometheus a few days later.
--Who?
--Damocles--Oh! very bad:--it was coming out after your lecture that he
was taken ill....
--But what is the matter?
--The doctors hesitate;--it is a very unusual illness ... a shrinkage
of the spine....
--The spine?
--Yes, the spine.--At least, unless a miracle happens he must get
worse. He is very low, I assure you, and you should go and see him.
--You go very often yourself?
--I? Yes, every day.--He is very anxious about Cocles; I bring him news
every day.
--Why doesn’t Cocles go to see him himself?
--Cocles?--He is too busy. Don’t you remember your lecture? It has
made an extraordinary effect upon him. He talks of nothing but
self-devotion, and passes all his time looking in the streets for
another blow, which may benefit some unknown Damocles. In vain he
offers his other cheek.
--Why not tell the Miglionaire?
--I give him news every day. That is really the reason why I visit
Damocles every day.
--Why does he not go and see Damocles himself?
--That is what I tell him, but he refuses. He does not wish to be
known. And yet Damocles would certainly get well immediately if he knew
his benefactor. I tell him all this, but he insists upon keeping his
incognito--and I understand now that it is not Damocles but his illness
which interests him.
--You spoke of introducing me?...
--Yes, at once, if you like.
They went off immediately.