"A friend!--do you not recognize me?" answered Theodore.
"It is false!--I have none." shouted the wounded man, striving to raise himself upon his feet. The pain of his wounds brought back recollection. He sank down again, and collected himself thoroughly. He lay still for awhile, and then said, more quietly,
"You are one. Now I recollect you. What are you doing here at this hour? Why are you not gone home? Are you different from the other sons of men, who only do good in order to sleep more soundly? Go!--you have earned your rest. Why do you watch my dreams?"
"The doctor insists upon having your wounds kept cool during the night. I could not trust to a stranger."
"Are you not one?"
"No; not for a couple of pauls; but for your own sake I do this."
The other lay silent awhile. Then he said, with a strange excitement, "You would do me a kindness by going. It makes me feel ill to have a man moving about me. When it comes to thanking, I am more clumsy than an old man courting a young girl."
"Do not trouble yourself about thanks. I stay because you want me. If you could manage without me, you should not have to complain of my being in your way."
"I cannot sleep when I know that you are sitting; and freezing there."
Theodore stirred the fire. "I hope that you feel, even over there, how warm I must be here."