'I daren't, ma'am. Please don't ask me. Not after last time, miss.'
'Let her in, Brown,' cried Ross. 'I knocked her up, you ass! Worrying?' he asked me laconically as I went in.
'Yes.'
'Like to make tea then? got such a rotten "go" on, Meg.'
And then he fainted, and I called to Brown. He got his master into bed, while I flew round for brandy.
'Give me some water,' said my reviving brother.
'No, I won't,' said Brown, 'you'll take the brandy, Master Ross, or I'll thrash you like I did that day in Hickley Woods when you fell and cut your knee and sprained your ankle, and tried to prevent me going for the doctor.'
Ross was so dumbfounded that he took the brandy meekly.
'Now these aspirins,' said Brown, 'and I'm going to light the fire. The room is like an ice-house. I'm about fed up.'
When he arose from the fireplace he was once again the suave, impassive servant. 'I should wish to give a month's warning, sir. I don't seem able to give you satisfaction.' And there was a desolating silence. 'Anything more I can do for you to-night, sir?'