“Certainly, Herr Settembrini⁠—once and for all. Very kind of you. ‘Life’s delicate child,’ why, that’s very pretty⁠—only an author would think of it. I don’t know if I’ve to flatter myself over the title, but I like the sound of it at least, I must say that. Yes, I do occupy myself rather with the ‘children of death,’ if that is what you refer to. I look in here and there among the serious cases and the dying when I have time, the service of the cure doesn’t suffer from it. I visit the ones who aren’t here for the fun of the thing, leading a disorderly life⁠—the ones who are busy dying.”

“And yet it is written: ‘Let the dead bury their dead,’ ” said the Italian.