“That is not a trifling thing,” she said, “for your strength is greatly reduced. Where is the pain?”
“Oh, I don’t know; you are only making it harder for me!” he petulantly exclaimed.
A great gladness filled her heart, for she knew that he was giving way, and that her solicitude was hastening his collapse.
“No,” she said, “I will make you well. Where is the pain?” His face gave the glad sign of his wavering.
“Where is the pain?” she repeated. “It is my right to know and your duty to tell me.”
“In my——” he said, gasping, “in my chest.”
She rose and went to the bed, which she prepared for him. When he saw what her intention was he came to his feet with great effort. Before she could divine his purpose or check him, he had gone to the rear door, hastily opened it, and saying, “I will be back in a moment,” passed out and closed it after him. She stood bewildered at the neatness with which he had baffled her, and alarmed for his safety. But he had promised to return at once, and she knew that he would if he could. To her great relief he soon came back, bearing some biscuits and a few tins of provisions. As he stepped within and locked the door he dropped a tin, and before she could go to his assistance he had fallen while trying to pick it up. She drew him to his feet, and was amazed to discover how much stronger she was than he, and yet she had thought herself very weak. She seated him upon the edge of the bed and began to remove his shoes.
“No, no!” he gasped; “you shall not do that.”
But she kept on and succeeded, and laid him upon the bed and drew the covers over him.
“Now,” she said, “tell me what to give you.”