"Hullo, darling!" he made soft response. "Had a nice sleep?"
She stared at him vaguely. "What are you sitting there for?"
"Taking care of you," said Nick.
She frowned, collecting her wits with difficulty. "It's night, isn't it?"
"Half-past one," said Nick.
"My dear!" She opened her eyes a little wider. "But what are you waiting for? Why don't you go to bed?"
"I like sitting up sometimes," said Nick. "Keeps me in form."
She turned her head on the pillow. "Is Max here?"
"No," said Nick.
"But—he has been?" she persisted.