"When you're tired of skulking in bed, perhaps you'll come and do your share of the work." Mr.Swann rose to a sitting position, and his demeanour was so alarming that the nurse, hastening over to him, entreated him to lie down, and waved Hardy peremptorily from the room.
"Puppy!" said the invalid, with great relish.

"Blockhead!" [Illustration: "'Puppy!' said the invalid."] He gazed fixedly at the young man as he departed and then, catching sight in his turn of the housekeeper's perplexity, laid himself down and buried his face in the bed-clothes.

The nurse crossed over to her assistant and, taking the tray from her, told her in a sharp whisper that if she ever admitted Mr.Hardy again she would not be answerable for the consequences..