Chapter XVI

r.RamsaycameoutsayinghehadgivenBerthaopium,andforawhileshewasquiet. “It’sluckyyoudiditjustatdinnertime,”saidEdward,withalaugh.“We’llbeabletohaveasnacktogether.” Theysatdownandbegantoeat.Theyrivalledoneanotherintheirappetitesandthedoctor,likingEdwardmoreandmore,saiditdidhimgoodtoseeamanwhocouldeatwell.Butbeforetheyhadreachedthepudding,amessagecamefromthenursetosaythatBerthawasawake,andDr.Ramsayregretfullyleftthetable.Edwardwentoneatingsteadfastly.Atlast,withthehappysighofthemanconsciousofvirtueandasatisfiedstomach,helithispipeandagainsettlinghimselfinthearmchair,shortlybegantodoze.Theevening,however,waslong,andhefeltbored. “Itoughttobealloverbynow,”hesaid.“IwonderifIneedstayup?” Dr.RamsayseemedalittleworriedwhenEdwardwenttohimathirdtime. “I’mafraidit’sadifficultcase,”hesaid.“It’smostunfortunate.She’sbeensufferingagooddeal,poorthing.” “Well,isthereanythingIcando?”askedEdward. “No,excepttokeepcalmandnotmakeafuss.” “Oh,Ishan’tdothatyouneedn’tfear.Iwillsaythatformyself,Ihavegotnerve.” “You’resplendid,”saidDr.Ramsay.“ItellyouIliketoseeamankeephisheadsowellthroughajoblikethis.” “Well,whatIcametoaskyouwas—isthereanygoodinmysittingup?OfcourseI’lldoitifanythingcanbedonebutifnotImayaswellgotobed.” “Yes,Ithinkyou’dmuchbetterI’llcallyouifyou’rewanted.IthinkyoumightcomeinandsayawordortwotoBerthaitwillencourageher.” Edwardentered.Berthawaslyingwithstaring,terrifiedeyes—eyesthatseemedtohavelatelyseenentirelynewthings,theyshoneglassily.Herfacewaswhiterthanever,thebloodhadfledfromherlips,andhercheeksweresunken:shelookedasifsheweredying.ShegreetedEdwardwiththefaintestsmile. “Howareyou,littlewoman?”heasked. Hispresenceseemedtocallherbacktolife,andafaintcolourlituphercheeks. “I’mallright,”shesaid,makinganeffort.“Youmustn’tworryyourself,dear.” “Beenhavingabadtime?” “No,”shesaid,bravely.“I’venotreallysufferedmuch—there’snothingforyoutoupsetyourselfabout.” Hewentout,andshecalledDr.Ramsay.“Youhaven’ttoldhimwhatI’vegonethrough,haveyou?Idon’twanthimtoknow.” “No,that’sallright.I’vetoldhimtogotobed.” “Oh,I’mglad.Hecan’tbearnottogethispropernight’srest....Howlongd’yout