After the waste of much time and red tape, he finally received an official permission to visit the leper settlement.

It did not occur to him it would be necessary to get a separate official permission to _leave_ Molokai; hence he was nearly left behind when the vessel sailed out.

He only saved himself by a prodigious leap which landed him on board the boat, whence nothing but force could dislodge him.

By the doctor's orders he took gloves to wear as a precautionary measure against contagion, but they were never worn.
At first he avoided shaking hands, but when he played croquet with the young leper girls he would not listen to the Mother Superior's warning that he must wear gloves.

He thought it might remind them of their condition.