"Well, you were very feverish and," he was feeling his way, "you certainly didn't quite know what you were saying—um! Yes, you were delirious!" he finished with sudden heartiness. There was no doubting now what it was she wanted. At his words she sank down on to the pillow with a sort of little croon of relief.
"When a person's 'lirious she might say—say very foolish things—she might—ask for things—she'd be 'shamed to if she knew—"
He was sure of his way now. He pulled his chair closer, and his clever face softened.
"I should think so, indeed. Why, now, there was a young lady I was attending,—she was quite grown-up, too,—and when she is well she's a very sensible sort of girl, but she was delirious, and what do you think she kept crying out for? Why, an elephant—a real, live elephant!"
Sheila Pat laughed.
He took her hand into his.
"Oh, yes, people say and do very queer things when they are delirious. I had a big boy once who wanted a doll, and another who wanted to start for Australia." He paused as he felt the hand in his give a little jerk.
"Do persons—often want to—to go somewhere when they're 'lirious?"
"Very often. It's one of the commonest wants, little one."
Sheila Pat was smiling; she lay looking up at him, her face pale, tired, but very peaceful.