“You may bring me a glass of ice-water and a fan,” he answered, and she obeyed with a cheerful alacrity that proved the sincerity of her professed desire to do something for him.
CHAPTER XX.
“You came from Violet’s room just now?” the captain said enquiringly to the doctor.
“Yes. She was sleeping and had been for some hours; knew nothing yet of your accident.”
“That is well; don’t let her be uneasy about me.”
“Not if I can help it,” returned Arthur with a slight smile; “but she will of course miss you soon, and demand a reason for your desertion of her; then what can be done better than to own the truth?”
“Nothing, certainly; but make your report of my condition as favorable as you can.”
“I will do that, and I can say truly that there is no reason to apprehend any thing worse for either of you than an enforced separation for a few weeks; and that while in the same house and almost near enough to carry on a conversation; you can exchange messages every hour in the day if you deem it desirable.”
“And I can carry them for you, papa,” said Lulu, returning with the ice-water and fan.
“So you shall, daughter,” he said, taking the glass from her hand; and then as he returned it, “bring me a writing desk, paper and pencil, and I’ll prepare one for you to take.”