“Quite.”

“But do you feel well?”

“I've got this cold I caught in Ochrida. I suppose I'm feverish. But—yes, I'm well.”

“You were talking.”

Silence for a time.

“I was thinking,” he said.

“You talked.”

“I'm sorry,” he said after another long pause.

10

The next morning Benham had a pink spot on either cheek, his eyes were feverishly bright, he would touch no food and instead of coffee he wanted water. “In Monastir there will be a doctor,” he said. “Monastir is a big place. In Monastir I will see a doctor. I want a doctor.”