“Fever. A splendid case of South African fever.”
“Too bad! Are you well over it?”
“Yes, over the fever; but still tottery. My strength has not come home yet. And the lead was a set back.”
“You mean bullets?”
13“Yes. I caught two, but they are both out. I am getting along all right now.”
“And you have just reached America?”
“Landed in New York yesterday; got here this morning at half-past seven, found my family were up on the St. Lawrence, and here I am. But what are you doing on this boat?”
“Oh, I just came down to see somebody off.”
An excess of indifference in the manner of this reply did not escape the friend from Africa. With a sidelong glance at his companion, he said, “A man, of course.”
“How clever you are, Pats!”