“I have thought of all that There is nothing to be had here ready but Montenegrin costume, so the landlord tells me, and you will have to figure in something very picturesque.”
“Cannot I get a sailor's jacket and trousers?”
“Aye, of Dalmatian cut and color; but they 'll not become you as well as that green velvet attila and the loose hose of the mountaineer. Try if you can't take a sleep now; and when you awake you 'll find your new rig in that room yonder, where there 's a bath ready for you. I 'll go down the town, meanwhile, and do a few commissions, and we will set out homewards when you 're rested.”
“I wish it was over,” said Jack, with a sigh.
“Wish what was over?”
“I mean I wish the shock was over,—the shock of seeing me such an object as I am. Sickness changes a man quite enough, but there's worse than that, George. I know what this rough life of mine must have made of me. You won't say it, old fellow, but I see it in your sad face all the same. I am—say it out, man—I am a most disreputable-looking blackguard!”
“I declare, on my honor, that, except the ravages of illness, I see no change in you, whatever.”
“Look here,” said Jack, as his voice trembled with a peculiar agitation, “I 'll see Nelly first. A man's sister can never be ashamed of him, come what will. If Nelly shows—and she 's not one to hide it—that—no matter, I 'll not say more about it. I see you 're not pleased with me laying stress on such a matter.”
“No, no, you wrong me, Jack; you wrong me altogether. My poor fellow, we never were—we never had such good reason to be proud of you as now. You are a hero, Jack. You've done what all Europe will ring with.”
“Don't talk balderdash; my head is weak enough already. If you 're not ashamed of the tatterdemalion that comes back to you, it's more than I deserve. There, now, go off, and do your business, and don't be long, for I 'm growing very impatient to see them. Give me something to smoke till you come back, and I 'll try and be calm and reasonable by that time.”