'That will do. Bad headache?'
'It is nearly gone off now, thank you, Sir; it was bad all night, but
it is much better since I have been asleep.'
'Let me see,' laying his left hand on the wrist that hung over the
edge of the sofa. 'Ay, I hope that wicked little siren has done no
great damage. Pulled you below, true mermaid fashion--eh?'
'I meant to have pulled her out.'
'Instead of which she made a lad into a ladder to climb out on.'
Which bad pun served the purpose of making the boy laugh enough to be
at his ease. 'She is much indebted, and so am I. I like to meet an
old friend's son. Are you alone?'
'My brother is only gone to the post-office. He will be in before
long; but it saves a post to take the letters before twelve, and he
ought to be out as much as he can.'
'Is he here on his own account, or yours?'
'He came down first, before I was ill. It was bother and overwork and
a cough. Everything always does come to worry him, whenever he ought
to have rest or pleasure.' And Lance who was thoroughly weary and
dispirited, was nearly ready to cry.
'Even when he goes out for a picnic, young ladies must needs drown
themselves!'
This made Lance smile; but he added, with a quivering lip, 'He would
not go to bed till I could go to sleep last night, and that was not
till past two, and he looks quite done up this morning.
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