“Mr Elthorne has dropped asleep, ma’am.”
“Well, I’ll go in and sit with him till he wakes.”
“Excuse me, madam,” said Nurse Elisia, barring the way; “he must not be disturbed.”
“My good woman!” cried Aunt Anne again, ruffling up at anyone daring to interfere with her in that house, “I am not going to disturb him. Surely I know perfectly how to behave to a sick person.”
“Of course, ma’am,” said the nurse quietly, “and I am sorry to have to interfere.”
“As you should be,” said Aunt Anne tartly. “Have the goodness to stand on one side.”
“I beg your pardon, madam,” said the nurse gently, “you are placing me in a very awkward position, and I grieve to oppose you in your wishes, but I must obey my instruction from Mr Neil Elthorne. They were that I was to particularly guard against the patient’s being disturbed when he was asleep.”
“And very proper instructions too; but say Mr Elthorne, Nurse Elisia, and not ‘the patient.’ This is not a hospital.”
The nurse bowed.
“I am sure my nephew did not intend that such instructions as these were to apply to me.”