“I am,” said Jock, quietly.
“She is a stupid girl!” burst out his mother.
“No! there’s no blame to either of them. That’s one comfort. She gave me full warning, and he knew nothing about it, nor ever shall.”
“He is just as much a medical student as you! That vexes me.”
“Yes, but he did not give up the service for it, when she implored him.”
“A silly girl! O Jock, if you had but come down to Fordham.”
“It might have made no odds. Friar was so aggressively jolly after his Christmas visit, that I fancy it was done then. Besides, just look at us together!”
“He will never get your air of the Guards.”
“Which is preposterously ridiculous in the hospital,” said Jock, endeavouring to smile. “Never mind, mother. It was all up with me two years ago, as I very well knew. Good-night. You’ve only got me the more whole and undivided, for the extinction of my will-of-the-wisp.”
She saw he had rather say no more, and only returned his fervent embrace with interest; but Babie knew she was restless and unhappy all night, and would not ask why, being afraid to hear that it was about Fordham, who coughed more, and looked frailer.