Sir Robert stared at him, almost as if he had misheard. "No. No, that's nonsense," he said gruffly, his voice unsteady. "What do you mean, not long to live? What kind of talk is that? You are not even sixty yet! How can you die? Don't talk like this! You will live longer than hundred years!"
"Something with the heart, the doctors said. The tests aren't all in yet, but… the symptoms. The signs. They're fairly certain, father. It is why I have returned."
"Certain?" Robert snapped sharply, "Then they don't know a damn thing! We'll get you to proper specialists. Not these countryside physicians or half-trained university children. I know people, Patrick. You think the Collins name means nothing anymore?"
