They asked the Doctor when he would be likely to be able to go home.
"As soon as the wound is covered over," he replied, "there is no reason why he should not go home. Providing he could get massage and proper treatment."
The gas darkly illuminated the sombre red of the walls and glimmered on the polished mahogany. The fire, too, glowed red. Outside, the wind was sighing softly in the pine-trees.
The bed seemed huge and its capacity for comfort enormous. The cool sheets seemed to caress his legs. His whole nervous system was delightfully wearied with the achievement of reaching home.
The local Doctor had promised that he could treat him perfectly well, and he had been allowed to leave the Hospital.
He could hear the paws of his spaniel padding softly on the carpet in the landing. He could hear the voices of his father and sister in the hall....
Peace after the storm! The harbour reached at last.
"It seems to be impossible to believe it's true," he murmured to himself.
"Are you quite ready?" asked his mother.