eep in his friend's chamber that night.

"Why, you don't mean that, sir, sure to goodness," cried the laundress,
alarmed; "and not so much as a sofy bedstead, nor nothing anyways
comfortable."

"I could sleep upon three or four chairs, if it were necessary; but there
is an old sofa in the bedroom. You might bring that into this room for
me; and the nurse can have it in the day-time. She won't want to be lying
down to-night, I daresay. I don't suppose I shall sleep much myself, but
I am a little knocked up, and shall be glad of some sort of rest. I want
to be on the spot, come what may."

"But, sir, with the new nurse and me, there surely can't be no necessity;
and you might be round the first thing in the morning like to see how the
poor dear gentleman has slep'."

"I know that, but I would rather be on the spot. I have my own especial
reasons. You can go home to your children."

"Thank you kindly, sir; which I shall be very glad to take care of 'em,
poor things. And I hope, sir, as you won't forget that I've gone through
a deal for Mr. Saltram--if so be as he shouldn't get better himself,
which the Lord forbid--to take my trouble into consideration, bein' as he
were always a free-handed gentleman, though not rich."

"Your services will not be forgotten, Mrs. Pratt, depend upon it.
Perhaps I'd better give you a couple of sovereigns on account: that'll
make matters straight for the present."

"Yes, sir; and many thanks for your generosity," replied the laundress,
agreeably surprised by this prompt donation, and dropping grateful
curtseys before her benefactor; "and Mr. Saltram shall want nothing as my
care can provide for him, you may depend upon it."

"That is well. And now I am going out to get some dinner; I shall be back
in half an hour."

The press and bustle of the day's work was over at the tavern to which
Gilbert bent his steps. Dinners and diners seemed to be done with for one
more day; and there were only a couple of drowsy-looking waiters folding
table-cloths and putting away cruet-stands and other paraphernalia in
long narrow closets cut in the papered walls, and invisible by day.

One of these functionaries grew brisk again, with a wan factitious
briskness, at sight of Gilbert, made haste to redecorate one of the
tables, and in bland insinuating tones suggested a dinner of six courses
or so, as likely to be agreeable to a lonely and belated diner; well
aware in the depths of his inner consciousnes