“Take it away, I tell you!”
Jerry stood looking at him piteously, rubbing his hands one over the other as if he were washing them.
“I know it goes agin’ you, sir, of course; but you ought, sir; indeed, you ought!”
“Tell me,” cried Richard, “who is with him?”
“The doctor, sir, and the nurse; and master’s always going up and down. I met him only just now that upset and white it gave me quite a turn. He shook his head at me. ‘A terrible business, Brigley, very!’ he says; ‘a terrible business! I wouldn’t have had it happen for a thousand pounds!’”
“There, go away now, Jerry! Pray, pray, don’t stop! Take all that down!”
“No, sir; I can’t do that!” said the man. “It was master’s orders, and you must really try to eat.”
Richard sank into a chair and covered his face with his hands, but only sprang up the next minute upon feeling his shoulder touched, and saw the man leaning over him.
“Can’t I do nothing for you, S’Richard?” whispered Jerry. “I’d do anything for you, sir; indeed, I would.”
“Go to my cousin’s room and wait till you can get some news. Jerry, if it comes to the worst, I shall go mad.”