"I hope not," he said.
"It was the fright I got when I woke and saw where I was. I shouldn't
have been frightened, for I knew the place as well as I know this
room, and could have found my way back in the dark."
"What can I get for you?--you must have something." It is an awkward
thing when a nurse has to seek directions from a patient.
"Nothing," she said: "I can take nothing, and I am quite well. I can't
think how I was so foolish as to scream, and I am sorry for disturbing
you."
"You did not disturb me: if I had been asleep I should never have
heard you."
"I wish you had been asleep."
"You might have fallen through the rafters and been hurt or perished
of cold."
"I shouldn't have fallen through the rafters: I should have come to
myself and have walked back quite well alone; but I am not the less
obliged to you."
"I should say not," he said with a curl of sarcasm. "Then is there
nothing I can do for you?"
"Nothing, unless, indeed, you could get hot water for me to wash my
feet in. Sleeping as I was, I had the good sense to put on a thick
shawl, but I made my excursion barefoot: they say walking barefoot
improves one's carriage."
"Bessie, I never know what to make of you."
"If you know what to make of yourself it's a great matter: sometimes
people don't know that," she said, rather wearily.
"I had better make myself scarce at present, probably?" he said.
"I think so.
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