“I know that, Luke. I am glad to be useful to you.”
“Then take care of yourself, and don’t go out too much at night. By the way, does that cough hurt?”
“A little. Why?”
“I will only tell you that you ought to be careful. A cough is a thing no one should trifle with. Your mother is alive, I think I heard you say?”
“Yes.”
“Is your father?”
“No.”
“What did your father die of?”
“Consumption. ‘Galloping consumption’ they called it down in Cornwall.”
“Ah, I see!”