Madame took him herself to the Captain's room. Ruth brought a jug of hot water.
"You must just stop in bed till it's burned itself out," said the Doctor, wiping his hands and coughing.
The sick man cursed.
"You won't want a nurse," said Madame. "Ruth'll do everything you want."
Mr. Trupp looked up and for the first time noticed the girl by the wash-stand. He seemed put out and glanced at Madame.
"I didn't know you were on this floor, Ruth," he said, and added to the Captain—"Ruth nursed a patient of mine for two years in this very Hotel, didn't you, Ruth? She can take a temperature, feel a pulse, and keep a chart with the best of em, and you'll be all right in a day or two."
Ruth, who loved Mr. Trupp, as she loved no one else on earth, blushed and smiled.
"That's settled then," said the Captain from his bed.
Outside in the corridor Mr. Trupp, busy winding his comforter about his neck, saw Ernie and shook hands with him.
"Well, Ernie," he said gruffly. "I forgot you were here. How you getting on?"