"How can I influence the Señor's getting well? These things are as the good God wills. I can hire a Sister to pray for the Señor. That I can do."
"Thank you," I said. "But if you will keep the doctor and nurse out of my room and send me good food and water I shall get well and the fifty pounds is yours. Do you understand, if they come into this room again you lose it. I only wish to be alone."
The man bowed and bowed.
"As the Señor wishes, but the good amiable doctor, what should I say to him?"
"What you please, only don't let him come near me."
"And when the Señor is well there are many little matters to settle.
The Consul and the Magistrate…."
I stopped him.
"Not now. I am to have ten days in peace, and alone, or you don't get the money."
The man stood bowing and shuffling and muttering for some minutes. Then the thought of the £50 came before him too dazzling to resist, and with a final: "It shall be exactly as the Señor wishes," he withdrew.
And so now I lay alone. Ah, what a comfort solitude is!