He took the keys, feeling profoundly happy.
"I shall just go up to the office first," he decided, "and arrange to get off, and then come down here again. I suppose you will stay on till Miss Aked is better?"
"Oh, of course."
"She will be in bed several days yet?"
"Probably. She might be able to sit up an hour or two the day after to-morrow—in her own room."
"It wouldn't do for me to see her?"
"I think not. She is very weak. No, you must act on your own responsibility."
He and the nurse had breakfast together, talking with the freedom of old friends. He told her all he knew of the Akeds, not forgetting to mention that Mr. Aked and himself were to have collaborated in a book. When Richard let this out, she showed none of those signs of timid reverence which the laity are wont to exhibit in the presence of literary people.
"Indeed!" she said politely, and then after a little pause: "I actually write verses myself sometimes."