Page:November Joe.pdf/21

 I laughed.

"Don't mention it, Andrew; I am accustomed to your manners. All the same"

He watched me light up. "Make the most of it, for it will be some time before you enjoy another."

"I have felt your searching eye upon me more than once to-night. What is it?"

"My dear James, the new mining amalgamation the papers are so full of, and of which I understand that you are the leading spirit, will no doubt be a great success, yet is it really worth the sacrifice of your excellent health?"

"But I feel quite as usual."

"Quite?"

"Well, much as usual."

Upon this Sir Andrew bent his pronounced eyebrows and brilliant dark eyes upon me and put me through a catechism.

"Sleep much as usual?"

"Perhaps not," I admitted unwillingly.

"Appetite as good as usual?"

"Oh, I don't know."

"Tush, man, James! Stand up!" Thereupon