And then took notes on your symptoms till you became delirious!
[_He looks from one to another with considerable interest._
No drums to make you famous, no war correspondents to make you brave--I mean the other way round.
Senator Root says this one triumph alone saves _twenty million dollars a year_ to the business interests of the United States! I call that true patriotism.
General Wood says it saves more _human lives_ a year than were lost in the whole Spanish War! I call it service.
Colonel Goethals says the Panama Canal could not have been built if it hadn't been for you self-sacrificing scientists. Not only that, but you have abolished forever from the United States a scourge which for more than a century had through periodic outbreaks spread terror, devastation, and death.
The ones who deserve your praise are the four who died to prove that theory.... [_He smiles._] Of course, you all know their names.... [_He looks at JOHN, who looks at JUDGE, who looks at LUCY, who looks at THEODORE. He takes up his cup._] Delicious tea.
Ah, but they didn't do it for fame, for money--that's the beauty of the sacrifice.
Quite so.... That's what Congress told us when we suggested a pension for the widow of the first victim.
They finally voted the sum of seventeen dollars a month for the widow and no less than two dollars a month extra for each of his children....
No.... We pestered Congress to death until, a few years ago, they replaced the pension with an annuity of one hundred and twenty-five dollars a month--though some of them said it was a very bad precedent to establish. [_Returns cup to LUCY._] No more, thanks, delicious.
[_And turns to admire the wide-sweeping view of the farm, hands in pockets._
Well, I think our scientists might well be called philanthropists.
Hardly! You see, every one _knows_ the names of philanthropists.... Better let it go at "scientists."
He's right. Philanthropists don't give their lives, they give their names--have 'em carved in stone over their institutes and libraries.
Doctor Hamilton, America kills its big men with routine. You are too valuable to the nation to lose--the trustees think you need a year abroad.
That's strange, I came out here to suggest that very thing.... Somebody has been saying kind things about me in Paris. Just had a letter from the great Metchnikoff--wants me to come over and work in the Pasteur! Chance of a lifetime!... You didn't have to jolly me up to consent to that!