"
"If you will give me the name and address of the gentleman you would like
to call in, I will go for him immediately."
"To-night? Nay, my dear sir, there is no occasion for such haste;
to-morrow morning will do very well."
"To-morrow morning, then; but I will make the appointment to-night, if I
can."
Mr. Mew named a physician high in reputation as a specialist in such
cases as John Saltram's; and Gilbert dashed off at once in a hansom to
obtain the promise of an early visit from this gentleman on the following
morning. He succeeded in his errand; and on returning to the Temple found
the professional nurse installed, and the sick-room brightened and
freshened a little by her handiwork. The patient was asleep, and his
slumber was more quiet than usual.
Gilbert had eaten nothing since breakfast, and it was now nearly nine
o'clock in the evening; but before going out to some neighbouring tavern
to snatch a hasty dinner, he stopped to tell Mrs. Pratt that he should
sleep 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.
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