Jessie took her father by the shoulders and pressed him down by main force on to the sofa.
"Speak another word at your peril," she said sternly. "Disturb this gentleman again, and as sure as I am what I am, I'll have you locked up in there--in there, do you understand?" and she pointed in the direction of the strong-room.
There was something in his daughter's face that cowed him--that frightened him even. He had never seen such an expression on any other face. He sat down without a word.
The doctor was down on one knee by this time, examining the unconscious man.
"How did he come by this terrible wound on his head?" he asked presently; "and why has he been allowed to sink so low? Some one ought to have been called in two days ago."
"It's only about two days since he got home," said the woman, "and he brought the wound with him. How he came by it nobody knows but himself. Then, he was accidentally"--with a glance at Her father--"shut up in the room where he keeps his books and things, and couldn't help himself, and there I found him about two o'clock this morning."
"Was he conscious when you found him? Did he know you?"
"Yes."
"Why did you not send for medical assistance as soon as you found him?"
"Because he wouldn't let me--he wouldn't hear of it."