In a little time he was ringing the door-bell.
"You wish to see my son?" queried the old lady who opened the door.
"Yes."
"He is not able to see visitors."
"He is badly hurt, then?"
"Mother, tell the gentleman to come in," called a voice from the cozy front room, and so the visitor was permitted to go before the engineer.
"Ah, beg pardon, but I thought that it was a friend," uttered the pale young man, who sat in the great armchair, propped by pillows.
"My voice sounded familiar?"
"Yes."
"And I am a friend," cried the old gentleman, at the same time removing hat and wig.