"You see," he said, "I don't blame you in the least, but you've

destroyed a habit, and it disorganises my day. I've walked past here for

years--years. No doubt I've hummed.... You've made all that impossible!"

I suggested he might try some other direction.

"No. There is no other direction. This is the only one. I've inquired.

And now--every afternoon at four--I come to a dead wall."

"But, my dear sir, if the thing is so important to you--"

It's vital. You see, I'm--I'm an investigator--I am engaged in a

scientific research. I live--" he paused and seemed to think. "Just over

there," he said, and pointed suddenly dangerously near my eye. "The house

with white chimneys you see just over the trees. And my circumstances are

abnormal--abnormal. I am on the point of completing one of the most

important--demonstrations--I can assure you one of the most important

demonstrations that have ever been made. It requires constant thought,

constant mental ease and activity. And the afternoon was my brightest

time!--effervescing with new ideas--new points of view."

But why not come by still?"

It would be all different. I should be self-conscious. I should think of

you at your play--watching me irritated--instead of thinking of my work.

The First Men In The Moon