He wakes up at the hospital, where Dr Horst, a psychologist he has met often through Wilbur, tries to convince him to get treatment for pancreatic cancer. The two men share a bottle of whisky, Dr Horst believing that such is the condition of Harbour's liver that a little alcohol will be insignificant.
The passage describes a scene where Harbour, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, is encouraged by Dr. Horst to seek treatment. The two men engage in conversation while sharing a drink of whisky, highlighting the doctor's belief that Harbour's liver condition makes alcohol consumption less harmful.