"Don't try to say anything," Sir Benjamin said. "You're at Dr. Markley's; he said you couldn't be moved. So lie still. You got a nasty bullet wound, but you'll pull through. We'll clear out now." Sir Benjamin seemed embarrassed. He fingered the iron post at the foot of the bed. "As to what you did, Budge," he added, "well, I don't mind telling you-well, it was damned sporting, you know."
Moistening his lips, Budge at last achieved speech.
"Yes, sir," he said. "Thank you, sir."
His half-closed eyes opened in wonder and some anger when he saw that the young American had almost laughed….
"No offense, Budge," Rampole hastily put in. "It was just that you rushed his gun like an Irish cop, and now you act as if somebody had just offered you a glass of beer… I don't suppose you recognized him, did you?"
(Some struggle in the brain; a half-face, cut into whorls like water over sand. Budge felt dizzy, and there was something hurting inside his chest. The water washed out the face.)
"Yes, sir," he said, with an effort. "I shall remember it — soon. Just now I can't think…"Of course," Rampole interposed, hurriedly. somebody in white beckoning them from the doorway. "Well, good luck, Budge. You've got plenty of nerve."
At the smiles of the others, Budge felt a responsive smile drawing at his own lips like a nervous twitch. He felt drowsy again, and his head sang, but he was floating pleasantly away now. He was not sure what had happened; but I warm satisfaction lulled him for the first time in his life — What a story! If only those housemaids wouldn't leave windows open….
His eyes closed.
"Thank you, sir," said Budge. "Please tell Miss Dorothy that I shall be back at the Hall tomorrow."