“Yes,” said Dimmy.
“Are you hungry?”
“Yes,” said Dimmy.
“Are you thirsty?”
“I am very tired,” said Dimmy.
“Very well then, you shall eat and drink. I will try and light the fire.”
He did so and the room, which was already warm with the June sun, became like an oven. As he rose from his chair Demaine said in some anxiety: “For heavens’ sake don’t send for the servants!”
“I’m not going to,” said William Bailey simply. He went to a cupboard and brought out some ham, a loaf and a bottle of wine.
Demaine ate and drank. When he had eaten and drunk he could hardly support himself for fatigue.
William Bailey took him to his own room and told him to sleep there. “I’ve established,” he said, in a genial tone, “so healthy a reign of terror in this house that you certainly will not be disturbed if you sleep in my bed. I will see about the clothes.”