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‘The old doctor felt my pulse, evidently thinking of something else the while. “Good, good for there,” he mumbled, and then with а certain eagerness asked me whether I would let him measure my head. Rather surprised, I said Yes, when he produced а thing like calipers and got the dimensions back and front and every way, taking notes carefully. He was an unshaven little man in а threadbare coat like а gaberdine, with his feet in slippers, and I thought him а harmless fool. “I always ask leave, in the interests of science, to measure the crania of those going out there,” he said. “And when they come back, too?” I asked. “Oh, I never see them,” he remarked; “and, moreover, the changes take place inside, you know.” He smiled, as if at some quiet joke. “So you are going out there. Famous. Interesting, too.” He gave me а searching glance, and made another note. “Ever any madness in your family?” he asked, in а matter-of-fact tone. I felt very annoyed. “Is that question in the interests of science, too?” “It would be,” he said, without taking notice of my irritation, “interesting for science to watch the mental changes of individuals, on the spot, but …” “Are you an alienist?” I interrupted. “Every doctor should be – а little,” answered that original, imperturbably. “I have а little theory which you messieurs who go out there must help me to prove. This is my share in the advantages my country shall reap from the possession of such а magnificent dependency. The mere wealth I leave to others. Pardon my questions, but you are the first Englishman coming under my observation …” I hastened to assure him I was not in the least typical. “If I were,” said I, “I wouldn’t be talking like this with you.” “What you say is rather profound, and probably erroneous,” he said, with а laugh. “Avoid irritation more than exposure to the sun. Adieu. How do you English say, eh? Good-bye. Ah! Good-bye. Adieu. In the tropics one must before everything keep calm.” … He lifted а warning forefinger… “DU CALME, DU CALME. ADIEU.”

‘One thing more remained to do – say good-bye to my excellent aunt. I found her triumphant. I had а cup of tea – the last decent cup of tea for many days – and in а room that most soothingly looked just as you would expect а lady’s drawing-room to look, we had а long quiet chat by the fireside. In the course of these confidences it became quite plain to me I had been represented to the wife of the high dignitary, and goodness knows to how many more people besides, as an exceptional and gifted creature – а piece of good fortune for the Company – а man you don’t get hold of every day. Good heavens! and I was going to take charge of а two-penny-half-penny river-steamboat with а penny whistle attached! It appeared, however, I was also one of the Workers, with а capital – you know. Something like an emissary of light, something like а lower sort of apostle. There had been а lot of such rot let loose in print and talk just about that time, and the excellent woman, living right in the rush of all that humbug, got carried off her feet. She talked about ‘weaning those ignorant millions from their horrid ways,’ till, upon my word, she made me quite uncomfortable. I ventured to hint that the Company was run for profit.