He held his breath and ran-sacked his brain in vain for a reply which should ignore the inner meaning of the fatal words.

Something careless and jocular he wanted, combined with a voice which should be perfectly under control.

Failing these things, he kept his eyes closed, and, very wide-awake indeed, feigned sleep.

He slept straight away from eleven o'clock in the morning until Edward Silk came in at seven o'clock in the evening.
"I feel like a new man," he said, rubbing his eyes and yawning.
"I don't see no change in your appearance," said the comforting youth.
"'E's much better," declared his mother.

"That's what comes o' good nursing; some nurses would 'ave woke 'im up to take food, but I just let 'im sleep on.