By this time, my honoured father's wrath had, to a certain degree, subsided; he heard all I had to say, and he felt how very ridiculous would have been his intended proceedings, and, as his wrath subsided, so did his pain increase; he had seriously injured his leg, and it was swelling rapidly—the bandages tightened in consequence, and he was suffering under the acutest pain, "Oh, oh!" groaned he.
"My dear father, can I assist you?"
"Ring the bell, sir."
"There is no occasion to summon assistance while I am here, my dear general. I can attend you professionally, and if you will allow me, will soon relieve your pain. Your leg has swollen from exertion, and the bandages must be loosened."
He made no reply, but his features were distorted with extreme pain. I went to him, and proceeded to unloose the bandages, which gave him considerable relief. I then replaced them, secundum artem, and with great tenderness, and going to the sideboard, took the lotion which was standing there with the other bottles, and wetted the bandages. In a few minutes he was quite relieved. "Perhaps, sir," said I, "you had better try to sleep a little. I will take a book, and shall have great pleasure in watching by your side."
Exhausted with pain and violence, the general made no reply; he fell back on the sofa, and, in a short time, he snored most comfortably. "I have conquered you," thought I, as I watched him as he lay asleep. "If I have not yet, I will, that I am resolved." I walked gently to the door, unlocked it, and opening it without waking him, ordered some broth to be brought up immediately, saying that the general was asleep, and that I would wait for it outside. I accomplished this little manoeuvre, and re-closed the door without waking my father, and then I took my seat in the chair, and resumed my book, having placed the broth on the side of the fire-grate to keep it warm. In about an hour he awoke, and looked around him.
"Do you want anything, my dearest father?" inquired I.
The general appeared undecided as to whether to recommence hostilities, but at last he said, "I wish the attendance of my servants, sir."
"The attendance of a servant can never be equal to that of your own son, general," replied I, going to the fire, and taking the basin of broth, which I replaced upon the tray containing the et ceteras on a napkin. "I expected you would require your broth, and I have had it ready for you."
"It was what I did require, sir, I must acknowledge," replied my father, and without further remark he finished the broth.