“You have been sitting up with me,” I said.
“Of course,” he answered, patting my shoulder. “Of course I have. What did you think I would be doing?”
“What was the matter with me?” I asked.
“Nothing much,” he said lightly, “a touch of the sun, and a great deal of overwork in behalf of your friends. Now keep still, or I will be getting peppered.”
I was silent for a while, turning over this answer in my mind. Then I said:—
“I had yellow fever.”
He started.
“It is no use to lie to you,” he replied; “you're too shrewd.”
I was silent again for a while.
“Nick,” I said, “you had no right to stay here. You have—other responsibilities now.”