3. Dr. Jekyll Was Quite at Ease, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Dr. Jekyll Was Quite at Ease (chapter 3) of Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, read by Anna Butterworth

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Doctor Jekyll was quite at ease.A fortnight later, by excellent good fortune,
the Doctor gave one of his pleasantdinners to some five or six old
cronies, all intelligent, repeatable men, and all judges of good wine.
And mister Utterson so contrived that heremained behind after the others had departed.

(00:23):
This was no new arrangement, buta thing that had befallen many scores of
times. Where Utterson was liked.He was liked well. Hosts loved to
detain the dry lawyer when the lighthearted and loose tongued had already their foot
on the threshold. They liked tosit awhile in his unobtrusive company, practicing

(00:44):
for solitude. So bring their mindsin the man's rich silence, after the
expense and strain of gaiety. Tothis rule, Doctor Jekyll was no exception,
And as he now sat on theopposite side of the fire, a
large, well made, smoth facedman of fifty, with something of a
stylish cast, perhaps, but everymark of capacity and kindness you could see

(01:07):
by his looks that he cherished misterUtherson a sincere and warm affection. I
have been wanting to speak to you, Jekyll began the latter, You know
that will of yours. A closeobserver might have gathered that the topic was
distasteful, but the doctor carried itoff gaily. My poor utther Sin said

(01:32):
he. You are unfortunate at sucha client. I never saw a man
so distressed as you were by mywill, unless it were that hide bound
pendant Lanyon at what he called myscientific heresies. Oh, I know he's
a good fellow. You needn't frown, an excellent fellow, and I always

(01:52):
mean to see more of him.But a hide bound pedant for all that,
an ignorant, blatant pedant. Iwas never more disappointed in any man
than Lanyon. You know I neverapproved of it, pursued Utterson, ruthlessly,
disregarding the fresh topic my will.Yes, certainly I know that,

(02:15):
said the doctor. A trifle sharply. You have told me so well,
I tell you so again, continuedthe lawyer. I have been learning something
of young hide. The large handsomeface of doctor Jekyll grew pale to the
very lips, and there came ablackness about his eyes. I do not

(02:38):
care to hear more, said he. This is a matter I thought we
had agreed to drop. What Iheard was abominable, said Utterson. I
can make no change. You donot understand my position, returned the doctor,
with a certain incoherency of manner.I am painfully situated, Utterson.

(03:02):
My position is a very strange,a very strange one. It is one
of those affairs that cannot be mendedby talking jack all, said Utterson.
You know me, I am aman to be trusted. Make a clean
breast of this in confidence, andI make no doubt I can get you

(03:23):
out of it. My good Utterson, said the doctor. This is very
good of you. This is downrightgood of you. And I cannot find
words to thank you in I believeyou fully. I would trust you before
any man alive, ay before myself, if I could make the choice.

(03:43):
But indeed, it isn't what youfancy. It is not as bad as
that. And just to put yourgood heart at rest, I will tell
you one thing. The moment Ichoose I can be rid of mister Hyde,
I give you my hand upon that, and I thank you again and
again. And I will just addone little word, Utterson, that I'm

(04:05):
sure you'll take in good part.This is a private matter, and I
beg of you to let it sleep, Utterson reflected a little, looking in
the fire. I have no doubtyou are perfectly right, he said,
at last, getting to his feet. Well, but since we have touched

(04:26):
upon this business and for the lasttime, I hope, continued the doctor,
there is one point I would likeyou to understand. I have really
a very great interest in poor Hide. I know you have seen him.
He told me so, and Ifear he was rude. But I do
sincerely take a great, a verygreat interest in that young man. And

(04:49):
if I am taken away, Utterson, I wish you to promise me that
you will bear with him and gethis rights for him. I think you
would if you knew all, andit would be a weight off my mind
if you had promise. I can'tpretend that I shall ever like him,
said the lawyer. I don't askthat, pleaded Jekyl, laying his hand

(05:12):
upon the other's arm. I onlyask for justice. I only ask you
to help him for my sake.When I am no longer here, Utterson
heaved an irrepressible sigh. Well,said he, I promise