meaning

[negar_aghili]

hi
The vidphone beside his bed clanged; he reached, by reflex of his profession, to acknowledge it.

Later, it is shown, that the vidphone is sort of voice-operated, no need to reach after it.


what does the expression ("by reflexion of his profession") mean?

yhanks a million

[Tdol]

He must answer the phone a lot at work. I can't say more without an idea of his profession.

[Gilbert]

P.K. Dick, isn't it...
"by reflexion of his profession" means he is sort of used to picking up the phone late at night because it's a part of his job (he runs his own grave-digging company - you never know when you're needed).

[Tdol]

Is it? Thanks- I didn't know. I have only read a couple of his.