He cross-examined the doctor as to the dangers to be apprehended from the patient’s present condition, and shook his head gloomily at the probable consequences of so terrible a shock to his already fragile constitution. He summoned his three children into his presence to be severally kissed in recognition of their deliverance, and sent a message by Raffles to Mr Armstrong to say that he was glad to hear his injuries were only of a slight nature, and trusted he would take what time was necessary from his duties to make a proper recovery. After which, in a passably good-humour, he returned to his room, and wondered what improvements he should make at Maxfield if, by any melancholy dispensation of Providence, the property should fall into his unworthy hands.
Of course there were the usual thorns among the roses. Mrs Ingleton, ill herself, was far too painfully absorbed in her boy’s danger to lend an ear to the tender nothings of her sympathetic kinsman. And the whole party were so possessed with the notion that Mr Armstrong was something of a hero, that any suggestion to the contrary was just then clearly inopportune.
The main fact, however, was that Roger Ingleton, Minor—dear lad—was very ill indeed.
“I trust, doctor,” said the captain, about a fortnight after the accident, to Dr Brandram, who was quitting the house with a decidedly long face, “I trust our dear young patient is on a good road now to recovery.”
“I don’t like the look of him, I must confess,” replied the doctor; “but, with perfect quiet and nothing to excite him, he will pull round. The one thing to be dreaded is excitement. The lungs we have got well in hand, but that blow on his temple makes an ugly complication.”
“Poor fellow. Is there nothing one can do?”
“Let him alone, with your sweet daughter to nurse him. She is an angel, Captain Oliphant, if you’ll excuse my saying so.”
“She knows, as we all do, how precious his life is. And how is your other patient?”
“Armstrong? Practically well. I have given him leave to get up. He has the constitution of a tiger. I wish we could give some of it to the boy.”
“Ah, indeed!” said the captain, with a sigh.