Why the mischief don't you have the house wired for electricity, Stephen?
It's wholesome.
Gas isn't.

Lamps are worse, sir.

Do as I tell you!" And he went on loquaciously, grumbling and muttering, and never ceasing his talk, while Siward, wincing as the dressing was removed, lay back and closed his eyes.
Half an hour later Gumble appeared, to announce dinner.
"I don't want any," said Siward.
"Eat!" said Dr.Grisby harshly.
"I--don't care to." "Eat, I tell you! Do you think I don't mean what I say ?" So he ate his broth and toast, the doctor curtly declining to join him.
He ate hurriedly, closing his eyes in aversion.

Even the iced tea was flat and distasteful to him.
And at last he lay back, white and unstrung, the momentarily deadened desperation glimmering under his half-closed eyes.

And for a long while Dr.Grisby sat, doubled almost in two, cuddling his bony little knees and studying the patterns in the faded carpet.
"I guess you'd better go, Stephen," he said at length.
"Up the river--to Mulqueen's ?" "Yes.