Hilaire Belloc

“ Professor Higginson felt for that scrap of paper intuitively in the watch pocket of his waistcoat. He could carry such things there for days. It was not in the watch pocket of his waistcoat.
He searched in all the pockets of the suit he was wearing. One puts things which one is in the habit of carrying instinctively into a pocket, and one often does not remember when one did it—especially if one is given to lapses of The Primary Consciousness and Subliminal Thingumbobs! ”

“ Professor Higginson put on his lecturing tone. "We are using technical terms, my dear sir," he said in a somewhat superior manner, "indeed, highly technical terms. Primary consciousness I certainly lost. I think I may go so far as to say that I am unaware of any action of secondary consciousness." Mr. Kirby still nodded gravely, following every word. "But subliminal consciousness is a very different matter! That, my dear sir," continued the Professor, smiling awkwardly, "is my own department as it were. ”

“ CHAPTER XIII. In which the Subliminal Consciousness gives itself away. The work of the Sunday had tired Professor Higginson. He did not know that glory could weary man so much.
He rose very late upon the Monday morning: he rose certainly without ambition, and almost without fear. ”

“ Kirby imperturbably, "have you any recollection of where the bed was? Was it in a sort of little dark room beyond the studio? It is an extraordinary thing," he continued, pulling up his sock as he said it, "that one cannot keep one's sock up on one's leg without those horrible little garters, which I for one will not wear."
"Now you suggest it," said Professor Higginson slowly and with something of the feeling that a mule may have when it feels the drag on the rope, "now you suggest it I have a recollection of something of the sort. ... ”

“ It isn't in this town at all. It isn't in England. It 's a place my firm looks after in the Hebrides—wonderful old place, you know—deserted. A Manse it was. Now the history of that house——" he was continuing volubly, when the Professor checked him.
"Not at all! Not at all!" he said angrily, "I tell you it is somewhere close by here! In Ormeston!"
"My dear sir!" said Mr. Kirby, opening wide eyes, "how can you know that a duplicate of the house I am thinking of——?"
"I 've told you already," snapped Higginson. "In these visions one has connotations of atmosphere, and so on." ”

“ In the interest of Science I should see that house. I should visit it ... Soon. Indeed, to-day. ... I wonder if you can help me? ... The house looked north," he continued abruptly, shutting his eyes and groping with his hands to add a wizard effect to the jerky sentences. ”

“ Kirby slowly, "of course, we could not refuse you, Professor Higginson, in a matter of such high scientific importance. ... We might have to get the leave of the owner, but in the normal course of things we could let you look over it, only, you see," he went on with a puzzled expression, "you really haven't told me enough to fix me yet as to what house it can be. ... We have so many to remember," he mused. ... "It is a peculiar sort of a house. ”

“ Kirby, scribbling hurriedly, "and I will certainly find it for you. The cause of Science, Professor Higginson, is a sacred cause."
"If you can!—oh! if you can get me an order now, to-day!" burst out the Professor, opening his eyes suddenly and cutting short in his desperation. "I—I—well, I should like to look over that house. It would be of the highest possible scientific interest. Can you," he added nervously, and as though he was in a hurry to catch a train or something of that sort, "can you let me have the keys—now?"
"My dear sir," said Mr. ”