Presently the doctor, a young man with a cheery face, came in and made his examination. There was no serious damage done. The only thing to fear was the chill. If the patient's temperature went down in the morning, he could quite safely be moved to his own home. For the present rest was imperative, immediate sleep desirable. He wrote a prescription, and with pleasant words went away. Then Unity, summoned to the room, heard the doctor's comforting opinion.
“I 'll be with you to-morrow,” said John.
“You don't mind leaving him to Mrs. Ripley and me just for one night?” asked Herold.
“He 's always safe with you,” Unity replied, her eyes fixed not on him, but on John Risca. “Good-bye, Guardian dear.”
John drew an arm from beneath the bedclothes and put it round her thin shoulders. “Good-by, dear. Forgive me for giving you such a fright, and make my peace with auntie. You 'll be coming back with my things, won't you?”
“Of course; but you 'll be asleep then.”
“I should n't wonder,” said John.
She made him cover up his arm again and tucked the bedclothes snugly about him, her finger-tips lingering by his cheeks.
“I 'll leave you, too. Try and get to sleep,” said Herold.
They went together out of the room and back to the library.