“Parkley,” said Dutch, as soon as they were alone, “I could not say it before him, but I have not the manly strength to see her. I am weak as water, and I could not bear to see her agony. Tell her,” he added with his lower lip working, “that I forgive her, and will pray for her, but I can never see her again.”
“But, my dear Pugh, you must—”
“Good morning, gentlemen,” said a voice that made them start; and turning sharply round, it was to find Mr Meldon, the young doctor. “I wanted to see you, Mr Pugh.”
“To see me?”
“Yes, about Mrs Pugh. You know she came on board last night.”
“Yes, I know,” said Pugh, coldly.
“She must have left her sick bed to come and see you, I suppose. It was a very ill-advised course, for she was ill.”
“Yes,” exclaimed Dutch, with an eagerness he could not conceal.
“And I am sorry to say that she is now in a high state of fever.”
“Fever!”