"Right you are," groaned Jim. He felt too ill, weak, and miserable to do anything except just agree with everything that was said to him. If the gentle reader has ever been sea-sick he will be in a position to appreciate Jim's condition.
"Keep a grip on that lamp-post while I fetch one," said Koko, hastening away through the gloom of the autumn evening.
When the cab arrived, Jim got in thankfully; and the two friends, holding Tom, who had followed Jim out of the surgery, between them, rattled off.
"I suppose you'll ask me to stay to dinner with you?" said Koko.
Jim uttered a hollow laugh.
"Stay if you like, but I won't guarantee you'll enjoy yourself."
"Any girls?" inquired Koko, flirtingly.
"Two," said Jim; "also a woman-man teetotal crank, and a female gorilla."
Koko particularly wished to stay to dinner with Jim, for he was formulating a plan for Jim's future. But he was not going to expound it until Jim was in a state to give it due consideration.
On reaching No. 9 they found Frank lurking in the passage. When Jim removed his hat, Frank, observing his wound, was filled with curiosity.