“There, Lawrence!” he cried, “that’s the advantage of being an Englishman. Now, if I had been a Dutchman or a Frenchman I should have had myself carried back, sent for a couple of doctors, and been very bad for a month or two; but you see I’m better already, and I’m not going to give up to please the Grand Panjandrum himself. Dear me! bless my heart! panjandrum! Pan—pan—pan—jan—jan—jan—drum! Where did I hear that word?”
“In a sort of nursery ditty, sir,” said Lawrence laughing.
“To be sure I did,” cried the old man, “and I had forgotten it; but I say, don’t laugh like that, boy.”
“Why not, sir?”
“Because it will make us believe that you have been shamming all this time, and that you’re really quite well, thank you, sir!—eh?”
“I—I think I am better,” said Lawrence quickly. “I don’t know why, but I have not been thinking about being ill these last few days, everything is so bright and sunshiny here, you see.”
“Yes, I see,” said the old lawyer, giving the professor a peculiar look; and they went back to the hotel.