Chapter 3
Two weeks had passed after which the doctor held a dinner with a few old friends. This was no new arrangement, but a thing that had befallen many scores of times. and the lawyer chose to stay behind while all the other guests had left. But Dr. Jekyll could not be more pleased by his presence out of his affection towards the lawyer. He cherished for Mr. Utterson a sincere and warm affection.
“I was looking for an opportunity to talk to you,” he said, “Jekyll, do you remember that will of yours?”
It was clear by his expressions that Dr. Jekyll was not very keen to have a discussion over this topic, But despite his reluctance he replied, “My friend, you worry a lot about me. I never saw a man so distressed as you were by my will; unless it were that hide-bound pedant, Lanyon, at what he called my scientific heresies. Not even that ignorant, blatant pedant has been as concerned about my will as you have been. I don’t mean he is not a good fellow, but he has disappointed me more than anything.”
“You know I never reckoned to the content of your will,” said Utterson, “I got to know something about your associate Mr. Hyde.”
Dr. Jekyll’s expression went pale suddenly. The large handsome face of Dr. Jekyll grew pale to the very lips, and there came a blackness about his eyes. “I don’t wish to talk more,” he said, “This is a matter I thought we had agreed to drop.”
“It was shocking what I heard,” said Utterson.
“You do not understand Utterson. My position is not one that can be solved in a simple conversation. I am in a strange place and what you heard heardly changes the matter,” replied the doctor.
“Doctor, you can put your trust in me. I am sure I could get you out of it if you illuminate me a bit more,” said Utterson.
“My dear friend Utterson,” said the doctor, “I am very grateful to you for the concern. I trust you more than any other person in my life. But it’s not as bad as you think. Just to put your mind at rest I can tell you that I can get rid off Mr. Hyde any moment of my choice. I am really thankful to you but I urge you to forget about this matter. I hope you understand the personal aspect of it.”
Utterson looked at the fire, amused by doctor’s reply.
“I trust you are right at your place,” he said while getting to his feet.
“Since you mentioned this matter, I want to make a point clear to you,” continued Dr. Jekyll, “I really am interested in the poor fellow Hyde. I know he did not treat you well as he told me. But I need a promise from you that you will get him his rights if I am ever taken away. If you knew the whole thing, I know you would hae done it. Iit would be a weight off my mind if you would promise.”
“I can’t promise that I would pretend to like him ever in my life,” said Utterson.
“I am not asking you to pretend anything my friend,” said Jekyll, laying his hand upon the other’s arm, “I pleade you to help him when I am no more, for my sake.”
Utterson take deep breath and a sigh. “OK!” said he, “I promise.”
