He did not reply. There was no need. While the receiver was off the bell wouldn't ring.
"If you don't answer I shall wake the house," came the voice, as if in answer to his thoughts.
The Major groaned inwardly. "Yes, I'm here," he replied.
"Good. How do you feel?"
"Oh, pretty tollollish," he answered. "Must be the doctor," he thought.
"What is your name?"
"Smithers," said the Major, with a sudden inspiration. "John Smithers."
"John Smithers," came the slow response. "Thank you. Your age last birthday?"
"It seems to me he has been examining Blyth's factotum for life insurance," thought the Major. "Lucky I caught on so well. But what an extraordinary idea to collect these statistics at something after midnight."
"Age last birthday, please," came down the wire again.