“Well, how are you?,” asked the doctor at length, industriously polishing his glasses. “You’re looking better than I’ve seen you any time since you entrusted your valuable young life to my care. For my private satisfaction—and to please your mother—, I’d better run the rule over you—”
“I didn’t think I should escape that,” laughed Eric.
“You’re not fit to look after yourself. You never were and you never will be; and that, friend Eric, is apt to worry your friends. I’ll tell you now, what I didn’t dare tell you before, that it was touch and go whether your lungs would hold out. They’re too valuable a part of the human body to be neglected... What’s Japan like?”
“The same as anywhere else,” Eric answered with a shrug.
The doctor devoted a connoisseur’s scrutiny to the wine-list before speaking again.
“I suppose the English papers reached you?,” he asked at length.
“I heard in Tokio.”
“I was sorry, Eric, very sorry. But I’m glad it’s over.” He hurried on remorselessly to cover the whistle of indrawn breath. “It was killing you. Whether you’re wise to come back so soon—”
“Well, my father’s been very ill,” Eric interrupted.
“I was sorry to hear it. Are you going to stay in England?”