He spoke as if the doctor were to blame for the sentence he had
pronounced.

"Haven't you relations?"

"None."

"The hospitals are always glad of funds."

"I daresay, but they won't get them from me."

"Have you no great friends--no one you are interested in?"

"I've hundreds of acquaintances," said the rich man, "but no one has
ever done anything for me for nothing--no one."

James Lauder looked at the hard-faced little man and allowed himself to
wonder how far his patient had encouraged kindness.

A pause.

"I think I'll go home," said Peter Reid.

"The servant will call you a taxi. Where do you live?"

Peter Reid looked at the doctor as if he hardly understood.

"Live?" he said. "Oh, in Prince's Gate. But that isn't home.... I'm
going to Scotland."