But I will not ride your fiery horses.
My weight is seventeen stone, and if I was to throw myself off a galloping horse as you did, _ach Gott!_ I should be broken past mending." Mr.Geist made an attentive and genial nurse, discoursing so pleasantly and fluently that, greatly to my satisfaction (for I was very weak), my part in the conversation was limited to an occasional monosyllable; but he said nothing on the subject as to which I was most anxious for information--Mr.Fortescue--and, as he clearly desired to avoid it, I refrained from asking questions that might have put him in a difficulty and exposed me to a rebuff.
I found out afterward that neither he nor Ramon ever discussed their master, and though Mrs.Tomlinson, my third nurse (a buxom, healthy, middle-aged widow, whose position seemed to be something between that of housekeeper and upper servant), was less reticent, it was probably because she had so little to tell.
I learned, among other things, that the habits of the household were almost as regular as those of a regiment, and that the servants, albeit kindly treated and well paid, were strictly ruled, even comparatively slight breaches of discipline being punished with instant dismissal.

At half-past ten everybody was supposed to be in bed, and up at six; for at seven Mr.Fortescue took his first breakfast of fruit and dry toast.
According to Mrs.Tomlinson (and this I confess rather surprised me) he was an essentially busy man.

His only idle time was that which he gave to sleep.

During his waking hours he was always either working in his study, his laboratory, or his conservatories, riding and driving being his sole recreations.
"He is the most active man I ever knew, young or old," said Mrs.
Tomlinson, "and a good master--I will say that for him.

But I cannot make him out at all.