However, there they were, hurrying in and out while, being the patients themselves, feeling sick and weary.  Noticing the majority of them were old people who were floundering in pain, I felt a knot in my throat and felt the necessity to clear it almost in sychronization with the professor.  It was then I realized I still hadn't responded to her statement." Yes..." , I said as I turned to her and mimicked her superficial smile, "... 