The window, opened to clear it, only admitted the sickly
scent of decaying weed from the river to compete with the perfume of
the cobbler's stock-in-trade. Ulick started up pale and astonished,
and Mr. Kendal, struck with consternation, chiefly thought of taking
away his wife and child from the infected atmosphere, and made signs
to Albinia not to sit down; but she was eagerly compassionate.
'It was nothing,' said Ulick, 'only his head was rather worse than
usual, and he thought it time to give in when the threes put
lapwings' feathers in their caps just like the fives.'
'Are you subject to these headaches?'
'It is only home-sickness,' he said. 'I'll have got over it soon.'
'I must come and see after you, my good friend,' said Mr. Kendal,
with suppressed impatience and anxiety. 'I shall return in a moment
or two, but I am sure you are not well enough for so many visitors
taking you by surprise. Come.'
He was so peremptory, that Albinia found herself on the staircase
before she knew what she was about. The fever panic had seized Mr.
Kendal in full force; he believed typhus was in the air, and insisted
on her taking Maurice home at once, while he went himself to fetch
Mr. Bowles. She did not in the least credit fever to be in the chill
touch of that lizard hand, and believed that she could have been the
best doctor; but there was no arguing while he was under this alarm,
and she knew that she might be thankful not to be ordered to observe
a quarantine.
Pages:
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423