The Major, my father, and two other officers had been pall-bearers at the funeral.

My father came to me on his return.

He was slightly chilled, and said he should remain indoors; so I had him all to myself, and we were very happy, though he complained of fatigue, and fell asleep once on the floor with his head in my lap.

He was still lying on the floor when Ayah took me to bed.

I believe he had been unwell all the day, though I did not know it, and had been taking some of the many specifics against cholera, of which everybody had one or more at that time.
Half-an-hour later he sent for a surgeon, who happened to be dining with Major Buller.