Even Winthrope’s relapse proved far less serious than might reasonably have been expected. The fever soon left him, and within a few days he regained strength enough to care for himself. Here, however, much to Blake’s perplexity and concern, his progress seemed to stop, and all Blake’s urging could do no more than cause him to move languidly from one shady spot to another. He would receive Blake’s orders with a smile and a drawling “Ya-as, to be sure!”–and would then absolutely ignore the matter.
Only in two ways did the invalid exhibit any signs of energy. He could and did eat with a heartiness little short of that shown by Blake, and he would insist upon seeking opportunities to press his attentions upon Miss Leslie. He was careful to avoid all offensive remarks; yet the veriest commonplace from his lips was now an offence to the girl. While he needed her as nurse, she had endured his talk as part of her duty. But now she felt that she could no longer do so. Taking advantage of a time when the Englishman was, as she supposed, enjoying a noonday siesta down towards the barricade, she went to meet Blake, who had been up on the cliff for eggs.
“Hello!” he sang out, as he swung down the tree, one hand gripping the clay pot in which he had gathered the eggs. “What you doing out in the sun? Get into the shade.”
She stepped into the shade, and waited until he had climbed down the pile of stones which he had built for steps at the foot of the tree.
“Mr. Blake,” she began, “could not I do this work,–gather the eggs?”
“You could, if I’d let you, Miss Jenny. But it strikes me you’ve got quite enough to do. Tell you the truth, I’d like to make Win take it in hand again. But all my cussing won’t budge him an inch, and you know, when it comes to the rub, I couldn’t wallop a fellow who can hardly stand up.”
“Is he really so weak?” she murmured.
“Well, you know how– Say, you don’t mean that you think he’s shamming?”
“I did not say that I thought so, Mr. Blake. I do not care to talk about him. What I wish is that you will let me attend to this work.”
“Couldn’t think of it, Miss Jenny! You’re already doing your share.”