“Terrible. Mr Elthorne telegraphed for me. It was not necessary, for he was doing everything possible, and now it is a case of careful nursing to save the poor fellow’s life.”
“Nursing?”
“Yes. I have promised Mr Elthorne to send him down the most helpful, trustworthy nurse I knew, at once.”
“Sir Denton,” faltered the nurse, with a faint colour rising in her cheeks.
“It is an exceptional ease, my child, one which calls for all a nurse’s skill and tenderness with, perhaps, as much patience as I have seen you exercise toward that foolish woman. I am going to ask you to start at once for Hightoft, and take up this case.”
“Sir Denton!” she cried. “Oh! it is impossible.”
“Why?”
“My patients here.”
“Your place can be filled, just as it would be necessary to fill it if you were taken ill.”
“But I am not ill, Sir Denton, and I am needed here.”