"More, to me," with a smile. "Make your men remove that man Gurney into the lower ward. Don't stop to question, Colonel: I'll explain afterwards. I'm surgeon of this post."
"You're crotchety as a woman, Paul," laughed the other, as he gave the order.
"What d' ye mean to do, old fellow, with this wound of yours? Go under for it, as you said at first?"
"This morning I would have told you yes. I don't know now. I can't afford to leave the world just yet. I'll fight death to the last breath." Watching the removal of the prisoner as he spoke; when the door closed on him, letting his head fall on the pillow with a sigh of relief. "Sheppard, there was another matter I wished to see you about. Your mother came to see me yesterday."
"Yes; was the soup good she sent this morning? We're famous for our broths on the farm, but old Nance isn't here, and"——
"Very good;—but there was another favor I wished to ask."
"Well?"—staring into the white-washed wall to avoid seeing how red poor crotchety Blecker's face grew.
"By the way, Paul, my mother desired me to bring that young lady you told her of home with me. She means to adopt her for the present, I believe."
The redness grew hotter.
"It was that I meant to ask of her,—you knew?"