He had the Victoria Cross
it seems, and was one of the desperate little garrison
who held Lucknow in that hell-whirl of a mutiny. And now
the sudden opening of a door sets him shaking, and a
dropped tongs gives him palpitations. Are we not the
strangest kind of beings?
Fred was a little better during the day, and even
seemed in a dull sort of way to recognise his sister, who
brought him flowers in the afternoon. Towards evening
his temperature sank to 101.5@, and he fell into a kind
of stupor. As it happened, Dr. Porter came in about
supper-time, and I asked him if he would step up and have
a look at my patient. He did so, and we found him dozing
peacefully. You would hardly think that that small
incident may have been one of the most momentous in my
life. It was the merest chance in the world that Porter
went up at all.
Fred was taking medicine with a little chloral in it
at this time. I gave him his usual dose last thing at
night; and then, as he seemed to be sleeping peacefully,
I went to my own room for the rest which I badly needed.
I did not wake until eight in the morning, when I was
roused by the jingling of a spoon in a saucer, and the
step of Miss Williams passing my door. She was taking
him the arrowroot which I had ordered over-night. I
heard her open the door, and the next moment my heart
sprang into my mouth as she gave a hoarse scream, and her
cup and saucer crashed upon the floor.
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