“He’s better to-day, sir,” said Mrs Craw, in a whisper.
“Better!” exclaimed Gorman with a look of surprise, “I’m glad to hear that—very glad.”
He looked as if he were very sorry, but then, as Mrs Craw said, his looks belied him.
“He’s asleep now, sir; the doctor said if he slept he was on no account to be waked up, so I’ll leave you to sit by him, sir, till he wakes, and, please, be as quiet as you can.”
Mrs Craw left the room on tip-toe, and Gorman went to the bedside and looked on the sick man’s wasted features with a frown.
“Ha! you’re asleep, are you, and not to be waked up—eh? Come, I’ll rouse you.”
He shook him violently by the shoulder, and Boone awoke with a start and a groan.
“Hope I didn’t disturb you, Boone,” said his friend in a quiet voice. “I came to inquire for you.”
Boone started up in his bed and stared wildly at some object which appeared to be at the foot of the bed. Gorman started too, and turned pale as his eyes followed those of the invalid.
“What is it you see, Boone?”