With a faint sound of consternation Clodagh stood up.
"Oh, he's not worse?" she said. "Doctor Gallagher, he's not worse?"
Gallagher looked at her, and his expression changed. The distress of a pretty girl is always difficult to resist.
"No, Miss Asshlin," he said kindly. "No. You see, he has gone through a lot. We must expect him to be weak."
Clodagh looked relieved, though the alarm still lingered in her eyes.
"Of course," she said. "Yes, of course. Is there anything I can do?"
Gallagher glanced at her again.
"Well," he said quietly, "perhaps you will call the nurse for me? There's no real need for her, but it is just as well we should have her on the spot."
Again Clodagh's eyes darkened with apprehension, but she made no remark. Signalling to Nance to follow her, she left the room.
As the two girls disappeared, Gallagher bent again over Asshlin, making another rapid examination; then once more he glanced up at Milbanke.