'Plenty of fever, but it was from sun-stroke.'
'Ah! you boys have thinner skulls than we used to have! How long ago?'
'Seven weeks yesterday,' said Lance, wearily.
'And you are sadly weary of weakness?'
'I don't mind that so much;' and the kindness of face, voice, and gesture, made the poor boy's eyes overflow; 'but I'm no good, and I can't tell whether I ever shall be again!'
'It is a great deal too soon to trouble yourself about that.'
'That's what they all tell me!' cried Lance, impatiently, and the tears rushed forth again. 'Manby only laughs, and tells me I shall be a Solon yet if I don't vex myself; and how can I tell whether he means it?'
'Well, dear boy, have it all out; I promise to mean whatever I say.'
'You are a doctor then, Sir?'
'What! the boy doesn't know me, as sure as my name's Dick May!'