Part 5 (1/2)

”Yes, I should think so.”

”How much do you ask for it?”

”'Ask for it?' Ask for what?”

”For an interest in it, either a part or the whole?”

”What?”

”You ought to make a good thing out of it--out of your patent.”

”My patent! I haven't any patent.”

”What! No patent?”

”No. It's for the good of people generally.”

”But you got a patent?”

”No.”

”Couldn't you get a patent?”

”I don't know.”

”Well, I'll be bound I'd have got a patent.”

”Oh! no, I don't think so.”

”I tell you what, you ought to turn your talents to account,” said his friend.

”Yes, I know I ought.”

”You could be a rich man.”

”But I don't care to be rich.”

”What! Oh! nonsense. Everyone does.”

”I do not. I want to live.”

”But you don't live.”

”Well, maybe I shall some day.”

”You merely exist.”

”Why should I want to be rich?”

”To live--to buy what you want.”