Brandon of the Engineers

There was no sea breeze next morning and the sun shone through a yellow

haze that seemed to intensify the heat. The white walls reflected a

curious subdued light that was more trying to the eyes than the usual

glare, and the beat of the surf was slow and languid. The air was still

and heavy, and Dick's fever, which had been abating, recovered force. He

was hot and irritable, and his restlessness did not vanish until Clare

came in at noon.

"I've been watching for you since daybreak, and you might have come

before," he said. "Lucille means well, but she's clumsy. She doesn't help

one to be quiet as you do."

"You're not quiet," Clare answered in a reproving tone. "Lucille is a

very good nurse; better than I am."

"Well," said Dick in a thoughtful tone, "perhaps she is, in a way. She

never upsets the medicine on my pillow, as you did the last time. The

nasty stuff got into my hair----"

Clare raised her hand in remonstrance. "You really mustn't talk."

"I'm going to talk," Dick answered defiantly. "It's bad for me to keep

puzzling over things, and I mean to get them straight. Lucille's very

patient, but she isn't soothing as you are. It rests one's eyes to look

at you, but that's not altogether why I like you about. I expect it's

because you knew I hadn't stolen those plans when everybody else thought

I had. But then why did I tear your letter up?"

Clare made an abrupt movement. She knew he must be kept quiet and his

brain was not working normally, but his statement was disturbing.

"You tore it up?" she asked, with some color in her face.

"Yes," said Dick in a puzzled voice, "I tore it all to bits. There was a

reason, though I can't remember it. In fact, I can't remember anything

to-day. But don't go off if I shut my eyes for a minute: it wouldn't be

fair."

Clare turned her head, but except for this she did not move, and it was a

relief when after a few disjointed remarks his voice died away. She was

moved to pity, but for a few moments she had quivered in the grasp of

another emotion. It was obvious that Dick did not altogether know what he

was saying, but he had shown her plainly the place she had in his mind,

and she knew she would not like to lose it.

Half an hour later Lucille came in quietly and Clare went away.