Frank fitted his hand into David’s, which lay like a sick child within it.
“Yes, ripping,” said he, a little drowsily. “Sure it’s not an awful bore?”
“It’s a frightful bore,” said Frank.
David smiled.
“You didn’t get a rise out of me,” he said.
“Shall have another try before long,” said Frank. “Comfortable?”
“Rather.”
David lay for some ten minutes still wide-eyed, but quiet. Then his eyelids fluttered, closed and opened again.
“Awfully comfortable,” he said. “I wanted just you to tell me what to do. I did so want you to come.”
David’s eyelids dropped again, and the doctor came round to Maddox’s side.