Denis had followed
the surgeons out of the room.
"What instructions is there, your honor?"
"Your master is just to be kept quiet. If he is thirsty give him some
lemonade. You can obtain that or anything else you require below."
"And about myself, sir. I wouldn't speak about it but I have had
nothing to eat since yesterday morning, and I don't like leaving Mr.
Conway alone even to buy myself a mouthful."
"You will not have regular rations, but all officers' servants and
orderlies will obtain food below. Meals will be served out at eight in
the morning, one, and six. You take down your pannikin, and can either
eat your food there or bring it up here as you choose. Breakfast will
not be ready for two hours yet; but there are several others in the
same plight as yourself, and you will find plenty to eat below."
Denis took his place by his master's bedside until he saw that he was
sound asleep, then taking the pannikin from the top of the knapsack he
stole noiselessly out, and in two or three minutes later he returned
with the pannikin full of soup, a small loaf, and a ration of wine.
"By jabers," he said to himself as he sat down to eat them, "these are
good quarters entirely. I should wish for nothing better if it wasn't
for the master lying there. Lashings to eat and drink, and a room fit
for a king.
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