Welcome to Sleep Stories with Steph,
Your go-to podcast that guarantees you a calm and relaxing transition into a great night's sleep.
Today's story is called Dr.
Jekyll and Mr.
Hyde.
First published in 1886,
This story explores the duality of human nature and suggests that within each and every one of us lies both good and evil.
But before we begin,
Let's take a moment to focus on where we are now.
It is time to relax and fully let go.
There is nothing you need to be doing now and nowhere you need to go.
Take a deep breath in through your nose.
Then let it out on a long sigh.
Chapter Four Dr.
Jekyll was quite at ease.
A fortnight later,
By excellent good fortune,
The doctor gave one of his pleasant dinners to five or six old cronies,
All intelligent,
Reputable men,
And all judges of good wine.
And Mr.
Utterson so contrived he remained behind after the others had departed.
This was no new arrangement,
But a thing that had befallen many scores of times.
Where Utterson was liked,
He was liked well.
Hosts loved to detain the dry lawyer,
Where the light-hearted and the loose-tongued had already their foot on the threshold.
They liked to sit a while in his unobtrusive company,
Practicing for solitude,
Sobering their minds in the man's rich silence after the expense and strain of gaiety.
To this rule,
Dr.
Jekyll was no exception,
And he now sat on the opposite side of the fire,
A large,
Well-made,
Smooth-faced man of fifty,
With something of a slyish cask perhaps,
But every mark of capacity and kindness.
You could see by his looks he cherished for Mr.
Utterson a sincere and warm affection.
I have been wanting to speak to you,
Jekyll,
Began the latter.
You know that will of yours.
A close observer might have gathered the topic was distasteful,
But the doctor carried it off gaily.
My poor Utterson,
Said he,
You are unfortunate in such a client.
I never saw a man as distressed as you were by my will,
Unless it was that hidebound pedant Lanyon,
At what he called my scientific heresies.
Oh,
I know he's a good fellow,
You needn't frown,
He's an excellent fellow,
And I always mean to see more of him,
But a hidebound pedant for all that,
An ignorant,
Blatant pedant,
I was never more disappointed in any man than in Lanyon.
You know I never approved of it,
Pursued Utterson ruthlessly.
My will?
Yes,
Certainly I know that,
Said the doctor,
You have told me so.
Well,
I tell you so again,
Continued the lawyer,
I've been learning something of young hide.
The large,
Handsome face of Dr.
Jekyll then grew pale to the lips,
And there came a blackness about his eyes.
I do not care to hear more,
Said he,
This is a matter I thought we agreed to drop.
What I heard was abominable,
Said Utterson.
It can make no change,
You do not understand my position,
Returned the doctor,
I'm painfully situated,
Utterson,
My position is very strange,
It's one of those affairs that cannot be mended by talking.
Jekyll,
Said Utterson,
You know me,
I'm a man to be trusted,
Make a clean breast of this inconfidence and I make no doubt I can get you out of it.
My good Utterson,
Said the doctor,
This is very good of you,
Downright good of you,
And I cannot find words to thank you.
I believe you fully,
I would trust you before any man alive,
And I before myself,
If I could make the choice.
But it isn't what you fancy,
It's not as bad as all that.
Just to put your good heart at rest,
I will tell you one thing,
The moment I choose,
I can be rid of Mr Hyde.
I give you my hand upon that,
And I thank you again and again,
I will just add one little word.
Utterson,
I'm sure you'll take it in good part,
This is a private matter and I beg of you now to let it sleep.
Utterson reflected a little,
Then looked into the fire.
I have no doubt you're perfectly right,
He said at last,
Getting to his feet.
Well,
But since we've touched upon this business and for the last time,
I hope,
Continued the doctor,
There is one point I should like you to understand.
I have really a very great interest in poor Mr Hyde,
I know you have seen him,
He told me so,
And I fear he was rather rude to you.
But I do sincerely take great,
A very great interest in that young man.
And if I am taken away,
Utterson,
I wish you to promise me you will bear with him and get his rights for him.
I think you would if you knew all,
And it would be a great weight off my mind if you would promise me to do so.
Utterson paused.
I can't pretend I shall ever like him,
He said.
I don't ask that,
Pleaded Jekyll,
Placing his hand upon the other's arm.
I only ask for justice.
I only ask you to help him for my sake when I am no longer here.
And upon this,
Utterson heaved an irrepressible sigh and said,
Well,
Okay then.
I promise.
