“Who's there?” asked Sergeant Bellows, raising himself on one elbow and bewildered at the sight of his unexpected visitor.
“It's only me, Flutters, and I hope your headache isn't very bad, 'cause I wouldn't have disturbed you for the world, only I almost had to.”
“Oh, that's all right,” said the Sergeant, kindly, “but it'll take me a moment to get my wits to working, although I wasn't rightly asleep either. Here, set the candle on the shelf, and run get that stool yonder for yourself.”
Flutters felt relieved thus to have the Sergeant take in the situation at a glance, and realize that he had come with a purpose.
“I was coming up to Kings Bridge to-morrow to say good-bye,” the Sergeant said, rather sadly, when Flutters had seated himself beside the bed. “How are they up there?”
“Why, they're not well at all—that is, you know, don't you, about the Captain's being paralyzed all over?”
“No, by gracious! paralyzed! Do you mean he can't move hand nor foot?”
Flutters sorrowfully shook his head yes, as though words failed him.