“What do you mean by that?”
“I mean he was drained of his blood. And the ordeal of taking out the sutures—”
“The stitches, do you mean?”
“The stitches, sir. The ordeal of removing them may momentarily retard Mr. Bush’s recovery of his strength. But if the court will indulge him with a chair when he gives his evidence—”
“That can certainly be granted.”
“Then in three days from now he can answer any necessary questions.”
“Next Friday, then?”
“Yes, sir. That is the earliest. I could wish it would be later.”
“To assemble a court on this station,” explained Cogshill with his cold courtesy, “is not easy, when every ship is away on necessary duty so much of the time. Next Friday will be convenient.”
“Yes, sir,” said Sankey.