Page:Pain--Stories in the dark.djvu/45

THIS IS ALL long, at such care, with such trouble? Nature calls—obey cheerfully.

And the calm became drowsiness, and the drowsiness became sleep all very quickly. It was a lovely sleep, with a consciousness of well-being permeating its faintly-sketched dreams.

Jackson looked in at ten o'clock, at a quarter-past, at twenty-five minutes past, and at half-past.

Then he sought Mrs. Palfrey, the housekeeper.

'He's still asleep,' said Jackson.

'You're sure it's sleep?' said Mrs. Palfrey gloomily.

'Oh, I leave to-morrow, anyhow, whatever he says,' said Jackson. 'It's the responsibility I can't stand. It's wearing me. But come and see for yourself.'

They opened the library door cautiously and peered in.

'The top of his shirt-front's moving,' said Mrs. Palfrey in an undertone. 'He's asleep.'

'Don't he look awful? I 'on't 41