"Would you have me call her now, shake her awake, and propose?" asked
George, irritably.
"No, I'd have you fight shy and give me a chance. There, you are too far gone for a jest. What are you up for?"
"Because I'm not sleepy, for one thing, and I think some one should be on guard. What's more, I don't like the way those negroes are performing. They seem to be going wild."
"Yes, and they are doing a lot of harm to the sick and feeble. If they don't stop at midnight I'll find out whether there's any law in this city. I say, Houghton, since you are going to sit up, give Clancy this medicine every half hour, and call me at twelve." He then wrapped himself in a blanket and was asleep in a minute.
If George had been wide awake before, the doctor's raillery so increased his impatience and worry that for a time he paced up and down before the fire. Was he faint-hearted in wooing Ella? Suppose some bold Southerner should forestall him? The thought was torture; yet it seemed ungenerous and unkind to seek her openly while she was in a sense his guest and dependent upon him. "Well," he growled at last, "I won't do it. When she first spoke to me she said I was a gentleman, and I'll be hanged if I don't remain one and take my chances."
He threw himself down again by the fire with his back to the awning. Before very long he heard a light step. Turning hastily he saw Ella's startled face by the light of the fire.
"Oh, Mr. Houghton! is it you? Pardon me for disturbing you," and she was about to retreat.
He was on his feet instantly and said, "You will only disturb me by going away, that is—I mean if you are not tired and sleepy."
"There is such a dreadful noise I can't sleep any more," she replied, hesitating a moment.
"Suppose—you might help me watch a little while then," he stammered.