“Well, well, I’ve found you, old friend! A neighbor told me. Distressing indeed. They say you must not talk. Well, what can I do?”
Jim indicated with his hands that he wished to write something down. Isaac produced an envelope and a pencil, and he wrote:
“Go and see my little gal Annie. Send her to me. Keep an eye on her.”
Isaac nodded gravely, and went away.
There appeared an eternity of time before the child came, but when she did all his dark forebodings vanished. She came smiling up the ward, and kissed him. They held each other’s hands for a long time before she spoke.
“They would not tell me where you were. It was old Mr. Rubens. Oh, Daddy, are you getting better?”
Yes, he was getting better. Much better. During the last two minutes he had improved enormously. He felt that he could speak. He managed to mumble:
“How are you, my love?”
“All right. Mother has been very cross. That horrid man has gone away. Mr. Rubens said you hurt your face. How did it happen, Daddy?”