"Not if I did it well, perhaps. I think I could manage for a few days."
"It won't do, Ray. He would send you to bed and walk away and leave you."
Ray groaned.
"Tell him your room is undergoing repairs, and throw yourself on his mercy; then feign low spirits, and make him think it is his duty to entertain and cheer you up."
"Capital, Conny! we can make that work I know; your wit is worth more than my wisdom. For three days then, I am your watch dog."
"And your friend's guardian."
"Precisely. I begin to swell with importance. But seriously, Conny, let me have your confidence at the earliest moment. For, whoever does battle with Heath, will find me arrayed against him, and—it's difficult fighting in the dark."
"You shall know all, as soon as possible, Ray, and now—"
"And now," repeated he, rising with alacrity. "Heath's horse stands outside, and Heath himself waits my return; so, lest he should grow impatient, and go where mischief awaits him, I will go now and begin my task."
"Thank you, Ray, I know I can depend upon you. All this seems like a scene out of a melodrama, but it's wretchedly real for all that. Ray, I am just waking up to a knowledge of how much plotting and wickedness there is in this world; even in our little world of W——."