"If you are not capable of settling a simple question like that yourself, ask the office-boy to instruct you.
"It's your work," retorted Hardy, "and a nice mess it's in." "H'sh!" said the nurse, coming forward hastily.

"You must leave the room, sir.

I can't have you exciting my patient." Hardy bestowed an indignant glance at the invalid.
"Get out!" said that gentleman, with extraordinary fierceness for one in his weak condition.

"In future, nurse, I won't have this person admitted to my room." "Yes, yes; certainly," said the nurse.

"You must go, sir; at once, please." "I'm going," said Hardy, almost losing his gravity at the piteous spectacle afforded by the house-keeper as she stood, still holding the tray and staring open-mouthed at the combatants.