"Seven," replied the physician after consulting his gold repeater. "But I advise you to keep quiet and try to sleep," he added, returning his timepiece to his fob.
As if the Iron King ever followed advice! As if he did not, on general principles, always run counter to it!
"Didn't I see my fool of a grandson among the other lunatics who ran after me here?" he next inquired.
"Yes."
"Where is he now?"
"With the ladies, I think."
"Send—him—up—to—me!"
The doctor shrugged his shoulders and went to obey the order. The obstinacy of this self-willed egotist was surely growing into a monomania, and perhaps it would have been more dangerous to oppose him than to comply with his whim. In a few moments Dr. Cummins re-entered the room, followed by Sylvan Haught.
"I hope you are feeling easier," said the lieutenant, as he bent over his grandfather.
"I have not complained of feeling uneasy yet, have I?" growled the Iron King.