Then for a day or two we were kept in suspense, till one happy afternoon the bulletin reported a change for the better, and presently the welcome news came that all danger was past.
For me at least that was the happiest day of my life, except perhaps that a week later when my mother as a special privilege allowed me to see him for a moment.
He was sitting up in bed, smiling but pale.
"Tell me," he said, "I've never heard yet, did I win the Mile ?" "Dead heat," said I.
"What time ?" "Four four and a half." "A record, isn't it?
It was worth the grind." I had my doubts, but knew better than to say so..