“You need not be. It is no hardship for me. I have frequently helped to nurse my brothers.”
He attempted no further expostulation, but after a minute or two said again: “I must know. After I was hit — ”
“I am afraid,” she interrupted apologetically, “that I can tell you nothing, for I have been almost continually in this room, you know. Chard saw no one, and, as I have said, he dared not stop.”
He moved restlessly, frowning. “Yes, but — Lucy must not — I seem to remember hearing him say something! To you, was it?”
“He did say something to me, but there is no need for you to fret yourself, my lord. We are agreed that it would be most improper to give utterance to suspicions for which there may be no real grounds.”
A slight smile touched his lips. “You mean that you have prevailed upon Lucy to hold his peace. I might depend on you for good sense!”
“Certainly you might, but it will be better if you think no more on this subject until you are a little stronger,” she replied.
“Don’t let Lucy quarrel with Martin!”
“He will not do so.”
“You don’t know him! He must not tax Martin with this, and that is what I fear he may have done.”