Part 28 (1/2)

”Faith, I am very much worried about Jimmie. He is lying down.”

”Well, what of it?” I said, with unintentioned brutality. ”Does he always sit up that you seem so surprised?”

She looked at me reproachfully.

”He always sits up when he is well,” she said, gently.

”Is he ill?” I exclaimed, dropping my gardening shears and hastily wiping my hands on my ap.r.o.n. ”Can I do anything for him? Does he need a doctor? I'll go right up.”

Mrs. Jimmie coloured all over her soft creamy face. She laid her hand on my arm.

”Don't be offended, will you, dear?” she begged, ”but--Jimmie--you know how unreasonable sick men are--”

She paused helplessly.

I waited.

”Well, out with it! What does he want?”

”He said--I didn't realize how difficult it would be to tell you when he said it--but he said--”

Again she stopped.

”I shall evidently have to go and ask him what he wants,” I said, moving toward the house.

”No, no, dear! I will tell you! Don't go near him!” pleaded Mrs.

Jimmie. ”That is just what he doesn't want. He said on no account were you to come near him.”

She paused with a gasp. Evidently she expected me to burst into tears.

”The brute!” I remarked, pleasantly. ”I hope he is suffering!”

Mrs. Jimmie's beautiful face became instantly grave.

”He is suffering, Faith,” she said, quietly.

”Then why won't he see me? Perhaps I could do something. Aubrey always lets me try. Has he a headache?”

”He has a splitting headache, he says, and a high fever, and his collar hurts him.”

”His collar hurts him! Then why doesn't he take it off?”

”That's just it. He won't. He says he always wears it and it never hurt him before, and he'll be--well, he says he won't take it off for anybody.”

I turned away and bit my lip.

Poor old sick, obstinate Jimmie! In my mind's eye I could just see him lying there with all his hot clothes on and swearing he would not take them off and be made comfortable.

But I could do nothing. He would see none of us. I sent tea and lemonade and ice and hot-water bags and every conceivable remedy to his rooms, but with no effect. Nor would he hear of our calling a doctor.