Tommy also watched for him, and finally concluded somewhat discontentedly that he had gone on some mission regarding which he had not deemed it advisable to inform them.
"He is like that," he told Stella, and for the first time he spoke almost disparagingly of his hero.

"So beastly discreet.

He never thinks any one can keep a secret besides himself." "Ah well, never mind," Stella said.

"We can do without him." But Tommy had reached the stage when the smallest disappointment was a serious matter.

He fretted and grew feverish over his friend's absence.
When Major Ralston saw him that evening he rated him soundly, and even, Stella thought, seemed inclined to blame her also for the set-back in his patient's condition.
"He must be kept quiet," he insisted.