"No," he answered, with flat, ungracious, mendacity.
"I am sorry. You have been sleeping heavily, and—"
He felt his mind slipping out of his own grasp, and he strove to hold it in his keeping.
"No matter now," he interrupted hastily. "Please get me—"
She waited in silence. Then she asked encouragingly,—
"What shall I get you?"
The mind was almost gone; but still he held fast to the edge of it, as he murmured,—
"Some bully beef."
The nurse turned away. Her lips were smiling; but her eyes clouded, as the babbling began once more.
Twenty-four hours later, she was greeted by a white-faced, clear-headed trooper.