“What is it? What is the matter? What are you doing?”
“Have you been ill?” said the gentleman by him.
“Ill? No!” said Richard, huskily. “I don’t understand.”
“What have you eaten to-day?”
“Nothing—yes: a bit of bread.”
“And yesterday?”
Richard was silent for a few moments, trying to collect himself. Then he recalled the past. “I don’t know,” he said.
“Well, Doctor?”
“Faint from excitement and want of food, sir,” said the doctor. “Shall I prescribe here?”
“Do I ever fight against your wishes?” said the old officer.