"Oh, yes, once I managed to get to sleep. Thérèse would keep coming in and fidgeting around my pillow; she can't seem to let me alone."
"She does so want to be useful, poor child," the old lady made excuse gently. "You can't blame her if she doesn't know much about nursing. I finally insisted on her going and lying down. I thought she looked very tired, as though she hadn't slept well."
Esther felt annoyed, particularly after what the doctor had said about trying to keep Lady Clifford out of the room.
"I hope I haven't stayed out too long," she said with compunction, glancing at her watch.
"Not a bit of it. You must get fresh air. I hope you'll go often with my nephew; it is good for him too. I'll go and get my tea now. You'll be wanting yours, too, no doubt," and with a kindly pat on Esther's shoulder she quitted the room.
"Is my son coming in after tea, nurse?" inquired the old man feebly.
"Yes, in a few minutes."
"I have something I want to say to him. Will you leave us alone?"
"Of course," she promised, smiling.
Sir Charles closed his eyes, then spoke without opening them: