"And Mary?"
"I haven't seen her for months. Her husband and I don't hit it off, somehow."
"Deb, how much have you to live on?"
"That's my business, sir."
"Not the business of a doting godfather—in the absence of nearer male relatives?"
"No. His business is only to see that I learn the catechism and present myself to be confirmed; and I've done both."
"That all?"
"Except to let his doting godchild take care of him when he is ill. Now—don't talk any more."
He was too exhausted to do so. And while he lay feebly fighting for breath, the trained nurse came in and took command.
In the evening that functionary gave a professional opinion.