"They were lazy, they wouldn't come," was the reply.
"Well, well," he said, in a tone that meant "Well, well, I know, you needn't say any more, but look here, to-morrow!"
"Now I am well again," he whispered as the workmen went out. He could scarcely move a limb, but he was very cheerful, looked at every one with a happy smile, and his eyes shone.
"Now I am well," he whispered when they had been obliged to put him into bed and cover him up. "Now I am well," he repeated, feeling the while that his head was strangely heavy, his heart faint, and that he was very poorly. Before many minutes he had fallen into a state of unconsciousness.
A dreadful, heartbreaking cry recalled him to himself. He opened his eyes. The room was full of people. In many eyes were tears.
"Soon, then," he thought, and began to remember something.
"What o'clock is it?" he asked of the person who stood beside him.
"Five."
"They stop work at nine," he whispered to himself, and called one of the teachers to him.
"When the workmen come, they are to let them in, do you hear!" he said. The teacher promised.