"Oh, sir," she panted. "I don't know how
it's happened. There's not a servant on the place
that'd dare to talk -- they all have their orders."

"Nobody told her anything," said Colin,
"She heard me crying and found me herself. I
am glad she came. Don't be silly, Medlock."

Mary saw that Dr. Craven did not look pleased,
but it was quite plain that he dare not oppose his
patient. He sat down by Colin and felt his pulse.

"I am afraid there has been too much excitement.
Excitement is not good for you, my boy,"
he said.

"I should be excited if she kept away," answered
Colin, his eyes beginning to look dangerously
sparkling. "I am better. She makes me
better. The nurse must bring up her tea with
mine. We will have tea together."

Mrs. Medlock and Dr. Craven looked at each
other in a troubled way, but there was evidently
nothing to be done.

"He does look rather better, sir," ventured
Mrs. Medlock. "But" -- thinking the matter
over -- "he looked better this morning before
she came into the room."

"She came into the room last night. She
stayed with me a long time. She sang a Hindustani
song to me and it made me go to sleep," said
Colin. "I was better when I wakened up. I

[[187]]

p186 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p187w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p188

v?