His Hour

"I came to ask you to tie up my arm," he said. "I was practising with a

pistol yesterday, and it went off and the bullet grazed the skin, and

the damned thing has begun bleeding again. I know you are a trained

nurse, Tantine. Serge, who is with me, has tried and made a ridiculous

mess of it, so I brought the bandage to you."

He now pulled back the shade and they saw he was standing there quite

sans gêne in the same kind of blue silk pyjamas Tamara

remembered to have seen once before, and his eyes, far from being

tragic or serious, had the naughtiest, most mischievous twinkle in

them, while he whispered to the Princess and enlisted her sympathy for

his pain.

"Gritzko, dearest child, but you are suffering! But let me see! only

wait in the passage until I have my dressing-gown, and then come in

again."

Tamara now thought it prudent to crouch down in the clothes and

pretend to be asleep, while the kind Princess got up and arranged

herself.

Then with a gentle tap this poor wounded one came in.

Tamara was conscious that her godmother was murmuring horrified and

affectionate solicitations, as she busily set to work. She was also

conscious that Gritzko was standing with his shoulder leant against her

berth. He was so tall he could look at her, in spite of her retirement

to the farthest side, and she was horribly conscious of the magnetic

power exercised by his eyes. She longed quite to open hers, she longed

really to look. She felt so nervous she almost gave a silly little

laugh, but her will won, and her long eyelashes remained resting on her

cheek.

"You darling. You are doing it beautifully!" he presently said, and

then more softly, "I had no idea how pretty your friend is! and how

soundly she sleeps! Do you think I might kiss her, Tantino? I have

always wanted to, only she is of such a severity I have been too

frightened. May I, Tantine?" And his voice sounded coaxing and sweet,

and Tamara felt sure he was caressing the Princess' hair with his free

hand, for that lady kept murmuring.

"Tais toi!--Gritzko--have done! How can I bind your arm if you conduct

yourself so! Not a moment of stillness! Truly what a naughty child--

keep still!" Then she spoke more severely to him in Russian, and he

laughed while he answered, and then presently the bandage was done, and

standing on tip-toe he looked full at Tamara.