“But we’re all saved?”
“I hope so,” said the doctor. “Now I shall tell you no more to-day. Will you have a little more water?”
“Yes, please,” said the boy, eagerly, and he drank the half-glassful more given to him with the greatest of avidity, closed his eyes directly after, and dropped off into a calm sleep.
“That’s bad, aren’t it, sir?” whispered the old sailor, as the doctor bent over his patient.
“Bad? No. Look at the soft dewy perspiration on his temples.”
“I see, sir. Oughtn’t it to be wiped dry?”
“No, no; let him sleep. It is a sign that he will not be troubled with fever, and its following weakness.”
“But he aren’t had no brackfuss, sir.”
“He has had all that he requires, and he will sleep for hours now.”
“Bless the lad! That’s good news, sir. It’s a fine thing to be a doctor, and know all these things. Can he be left, sir?”