Kings Row Page #3

or one of these country quacks?

Oh, I want to be a good one like...

- Like whom?

- Like those you read about in books.

What books?

I got into it that time, didn't I, sir?

I guess I mean

the legendary sort of doctor.

Well, Mitchell,

of course, I don't know at all

your approach to medicine.

Perhaps you regard it as an opportunity

to become one of those bedside manners

with a list of the proper pills

to give the patient,

particularly when you don't know

what is the matter with him.

Or perhaps your aim is

to become an eminent carpenter

with a knife and a chisel and a saw.

Perhaps, even you flow over

with the nobility of relieving

humanity's suffering.

I'll tell you my approach to medicine.

It is a game.

It is a game in which man pits his brain

against the forces of destruction

and disease.

In the beginning, I don't expect you

to be able to participate in the game.

You'll only listen and accept.

You will study and you will make notes

and you will memorize,

and you will do all this

only because I tell you to.

The details are simple, Colonel.

I want to leave everything to Parris

so that his schooling is assured.

I want to do the best I can for him

with what I have.

Yes, yes, of course. Of course.

It's wise to have a will, ma'am.

Then, in case anything

should happen to you unexpectedly...

It wouldn't be unexpected now, Isaac.

I think it's urgent

we complete arrangements quickly.

Marie, I'll have to be blunt.

How much time do you think you have?

Well, Henry?

Madam has a few months, a year at best.

I don't believe it.

I don't believe a word of it.

But we'll act as if Gordon knows

what he's talking about.

You don't look it, Marie.

You don't look it in the least.

We all have to die. I shan't want to.

For Parris' sake, I shan't want to at all.

But if you'll please excuse me.

I feel a little tired now.

Certainly, Marie.

- Good night, my dear friend.

- Good night.

Thank you both for your kindness.

I think I'll go to bed now, Anna.

When she passes,

how much passes with her?

A whole way of life.

A way of gentleness.

And honor and dignity.

These things are going, Henry.

And they may never come back

to this world.

- You are up late.

- So are you.

But every night.

These books, so thick and heavy.

Do you have to read them all?

I guess these books

are only the beginning.

You like to read them?

And Dr. Tower, do you like him?

You knew I would when you sent me.

Confess.

I only know that you have to judge people

by what you find them to be

and not by what other people say they are.

Oh, I don't pretend to understand him.

What he's like, I mean.

But he's the most brilliant man I ever met.

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