I always imagined they were discussing myself, and devising some scheme to step over the low sill into my room on the chance of finding any loot.

I complained one day to the nurses of the fact that their extreme loquacity really prevented my sleeping, and, as she told me that the patients suffered in the same way, I advised her to speak to the sentinels and ask them to be more quiet.

She told me afterwards she had done so, and that they said they had been insulted, and would probably not come again.

We both laughed, and agreed it would not matter much if this calamity occurred.
The next day I was still put off, when I requested to know what had been decided about my fate.

I was getting desperate, and had serious thoughts of taking "French leave," risking Boer sentries and outposts, and walking into Mafeking at night; but it was the fear of being fired on from our own trenches that deterred me.