Neil made no reply, but let his father finish his complaint, knowing that he would drop asleep afterward, and awaken refreshed and forgetful of all he had said.
He was sleeping peacefully as a child when the nurse entered the room, to stop near the door as she saw that Neil was present.
“Has Mr Elthorne wanted me, sir?” she said, ignoring the scene which had taken place a short time before.
“No; and if he had,” replied Neil bitterly, “He would have been quite willing to wait until you had kept your appointment.”
The words seemed to come in spite of Neil’s efforts to stay them; and as he finished the blood tingled in his cheeks, and he mentally writhed as he saw the look of calm, cold contempt directed at him.
“It was Mr Elthorne’s wish, and your own, that I should go for a walk, sir,” she said gravely.
“To meet my brother?”
She gazed at him half sorrowfully.
“I certainly did meet your brother, sir,” she said; and then stopped short as if scorning to offer any explanation to him, while he stood with his teeth set, wishing that he could have bitten off his tongue before he had stooped to make himself so contemptible and petty in her eyes.
There was a pause for a few moments, and then the nurse spoke.