"That he can command; and for the rest--
purchasable pleasures--those he can command. These affaires-de-
coeur, which you can't command, are always more bother than they are
worth."
There was silence, then he added,--
"One good one, though, fairly early in life, is useful, like
vaccination. You are not so likely to fall in love again after it;
just as, after vaccination, you are not so likely to have smallpox.
For myself, I should prefer smallpox to being in love."
I merely laughed, without replying. In my present state I was not
sure that he was far wrong.
"I say," Dick remarked, after a pause; "you are looking most awfully
seedy. Hadn't you better turn in and try and get some sleep? One
always thinks one can't, but one generally does."
"Yes; I think I had better," I said, getting up. I turned one lamp
out and the other down.
"It's odd--I wonder what the ultimate, future event will be"--
"'Quid sit futurum eras, fuge quaerere,'" answered Dick, with a
laugh, as he turned and settled himself on the couch.
"There are a couple of rugs," I said, depositing them on his feet.
"Draw them up if you're cold."
"All right. Thanks! Good-night!"
"Good night!"
I slipped off my clothes and got into bed, feeling almost uncertain
on my feet. My head seemed literally whirling and swimming in pain.
When I awoke the following morning and looked round it was past ten.
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