Out with it, my man.
What's wrong ?" "I am not--" Burton stopped short.

The lie of ill-health stuck in his throat.

He thirsted to tell the truth, but a new and gentle kindliness kept him speechless.

Ellen was beginning to get a little frightened.
"What is it that's come to you, Alfred ?" she again demanded.

"Have you lost your tongue or your wits or what ?" "I do not know," he answered truthfully enough.