"Yes, yes. What?"
"Just close your eyes and try to sleep."
Hibbert obeyed him implicitly. He closed his eyes, as though to sleep, but still held fast to Paul's hand. In a few moments the pressure relaxed, and he seemed to be really sleeping.
"I'll watch over him for a bit, if you like," whispered Paul to the matron.
Mrs. Trounce looked at her patient. He seemed tranquil enough now, and as she had other duties to attend to, she gladly availed herself of Paul's offer.
"I'll be back as soon as I can," she whispered as she went out.
She hadn't been gone more than ten minutes before Hibbert's eyes opened again.
"Still here, Percival? It's very kind of you." Then, looking round: "Where's matron?"
"Gone out for a bit. I've promised to look after you. Do you want anything?"
"No—except you. Matron's really gone?"—looking round again.