Man and Maid

"I am feeling so rotten if I could hear some music it would make me

better."

She made the faintest movement with her head, to show me I suppose that

she was listening respectfully, but saw no occasion to reply.

I felt so unspeakably wretched and helpless and useless lying there, I

had not the pluck to go on trying to talk, so I closed my eye and lay

still, and then I heard Alathea rise and softly go towards the door--.

"I will type this at home--and return it to the flat on Tuesday if that

will be all right," she said--and: I answered: "Thank you" and turned my face to the wall--And after a little, when she

had gone, Burton came in and gave me the medicine the Doctor had told

him to give me, he said--but I have a strong suspicion it was simply

asperine, for then I fell into a dreamy sleep and forgot my aching body

and my troubled mind.

And now I am much better in health again--and am back in Paris and

to-night Maurice, up from Deauville at last, is coming to dine with me.

But what is the good of it all?