Joseph Conrad: Heart of Darkness

1. PART I (continued)

"The old doctor felt my pulse, evidently thinking of something else the while. `Good, good for there,' he mumbled, and then with a certain eagerness asked me whether I would let him measure my head. Rather surprised, I said Yes, when he produced a thing like calipers and got the dimensions back and front and every way, taking notes carefully. He was an unshaven little man in a threadbare coat like a gaberdine, with his feet in slippers, and I thought him a 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 a searching glance, and made another note. `Ever any madness in your family?' he asked, in a 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--a little,' answered that original, imperturbably. `I have a 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 a 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 a laugh. `Avoid irritation more than exposure to the sun. Adieu. How do you English say, eh? Good-by. Ah! Good-by. Adieu. In the tropics one must before everything keep calm.' . . . He lifted a warning forefinger. . . . `Du calme, du calme. Adieu.'