"Yes and it's just that tiny prick that is worse for me than going over the top ever was. You'll think me no end of a fool, but I mean it."
He left the room to avoid argument. Miss Clifford turned to Esther for sympathy.
"Miss Rowe, did you ever know anyone so stupid?"
"Yes, Miss Clifford. He's not the first man I've met who felt like that."
"You don't mean it! What cowards men are! I wonder what we ought to do? Of course I'll manage to persuade him."
"Of course you will," Lady Clifford assured her. "When such a small, small thing can prevent a bad illness, one must try to find a way of removing a silly prejudice."
"Oh, leave him to me, I'll talk him round."
"Only, don't let him wait too long—stupid boy! It might be too late to do any good. Persuade him to let the doctor examine him now."
"I will. I'll go after him this minute. He mustn't be allowed to trifle with his health in this way," and the elder woman left the room, glad of the relief of action.
As Esther rose to go back into the bedroom. Lady Clifford inquired wearily: