(Brushes the Inspector aside.)
(Brushes the Inspector aside.)
Let me alone! It’s the only thing!
(The Doctor administers the serum to the Boy.)
(The Doctor administers the serum to the Boy.)
INSPECTOR
(Covers her face; drops to her knees in front of the Doctor, her back toward him.)
(Covers her face; drops to her knees in front of the Doctor, her back toward him.)
Oh, I don’t care WHAT you do—if you’ll only save him!
DOCTOR
Here! Look! (The Inspector turns.) Oh, it’s wonderful! See! Already!
INSPECTOR
Oh, my son! My little son!
DOCTOR
Relieved! (Straightens up.) But it was a close shave!
INSPECTOR
Doctor, will you forgive me?
DOCTOR
Come! Get him into his bed. (Lifts the Boy in his arms and gives him to the Inspector.)
INSPECTOR
Oh, I was wrong! I was wrong!
DOCTOR
No, you’re right. Vivisection IS cruel. But disease is cruel—and, oh, how cruel is death!
INSPECTOR
Oh, I’m ashamed! Here I was, spying on you, fighting—
DOCTOR
I’m willing to be watched. But if you trust us doctors with the lives of your children, can’t you trust us with the lives of cats and dogs?
INSPECTOR
Oh, yes! Yes! (Starts to go; turns.) Oh, how can I ever thank you! You’ve saved my boy!
DOCTOR
Don’t thank me. Thank your brother, the horse!
(The Inspector goes out, murmuring to the Boy.)
(The Inspector goes out, murmuring to the Boy.)
Well, old fellow! (The Doctor pats the horse, and gives him sugar.) You saved him. And I WISH you could know it! (Stoops to stroke the cat.) Ah! Here’s a dead fly! (Picks up a fly from the floor.)