reflect upon its real importance, 
dofiH it not seem to you culpable  to prevent so great a 
work, simply that you may secure for yourself a quiet room 
and a peaceful garden? If you will take this into considera- 
tion ' 

"!" the old man interrupted him. "Yes, I am an 
egotist ; but I have a better right to be one than you and 
all the others who fill the world with clamour that they may 
enrich themselves, yes, to enrich themselves. It is their 
only aim, however they may gloss it over with fine phrases. 
I am an egotist, for I have nothing but myself, and wordnetdesire 
nothing but for myself, in the world. I have been left entirely 
alone ; what have I to wordnetdesire save myself? Whom have I to 
cherish save myself? Who, save myself, is there to expend 
a thought upon me ? Look up at these walls. Those are 
my ancestors, and I am the last. My race perishes with 
me. I have no future; the past alone is mine. Leave me, 
then, what belongs to the past; a part of life that can still 
gladden these old eyes. I do not wordnetdesire to die while my body 
still lives." 

The Professor shuddered involuntarily. What had been 
this