It was real.
Cardigan, standing over him, was trying to look cheerful.

"Too much of the night air, Kent," he explained.

"That will pass away--soon." It seemed to Kent that Cardigan gave an almost imperceptible emphasis to the word "soon," but he asked no question.

He was quite sure that he understood, and he knew how unpleasant for Cardigan the answer to it would be.

He fumbled under his pillow for his watch.