If I were on that jury I'd say murder too and accuse ... so many
circumstances, Gilbert, that we should go home ... and look in the
cupboards. What a lumber of opinions we inherit and keep!
WEDGECROFT. [_Humouring him._] Ought we to burn the house down?
TREBELL. Rules and regulations for the preservation of rubbish are the laws
of England ... and I was adding to their number.
WEDGECROFT. And so you shall ... to the applause of a grateful country.
TREBELL. [_Studying his friend's kindly encouraging face._] Gilbert, it is
not so much that you're an incorrigible optimist ... but why do you subdue
your mind to flatter people into cheerfulness?
WEDGECROFT. I'm a doctor, my friend.
TREBELL. You're a part of our tendency to keep things alive by hook or by
crook ... not a spark but must be carefully blown upon. The world's old and
tired; it dreads extinction. I think I disapprove ... I think I've more
faith.
WEDGECROFT. [_Scolding him._] Nonsense ... you've the instinct to preserve
your life as everyone else has ... and I'm here to show you how.
TREBELL. [_Beyond the reach of his kindness._] I assure you that these two
days while you've been fussing around O'Connell--bless your kind heart--I've
been waiting events, indifferent enough to understand his indifference.
WEDGECROFT. Not indifferent.
TREBELL. Lifeless enough already, then. [_Suddenly a thought strikes him.
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