Alison looked as if he were going to oppose the plan, but he said nothing for the moment, only sat watching his brother and occasionally turning to the bed as the injured man made an uneasy movement. They were interrupted by a tap at the door, to which Alison replied, coming back directly to whisper in his brother's ear. "You had better go and talk to the old lady yourself," he said. "She has come prepared to sit up." Neil went hastily to the door and passed out on the landing, where his aunt was standing, dressed for the occasion, and armed with night lights and other necessary appliances used in an invalid's chamber. "No, Aunt, dear," said Neil quickly. "Not necessary. I am going to sit up." "My dear boy, your brother said something of this kind to me," said the lady querulously; "but pray don't you be obstinate. I really must sit up with your father. It is my duty, and I will." "It is your duty, Aunt, to obey the surgeon in attendance upon the patient," said Neil firmly, but he winced a little at his aunt's next words. "So I would, my dear, if we had one here; but do you really think, Neil, that you are able to deal with such a terrible case? Hadn't you better have in the Moreby doctor, and hear what he says?" "We have had Sir Denton Hayle to-day, and I have his instructions. Is not that enough?" "No, my dear, really I don't think it is. You see it isn't as if you were a much older man and more experienced, and had been a surgeon ever so long." "There is no need for you to sit up, Aunt," said Neil quietly. "I can quite understand your anxiety, but, believe me, I am doing my best." "Oh, dear," sighed Aunt Anne. "You boys areas obstinate and as determined as your poor father. Well, there, I cannot help myself," she continued in a tone full of remonstrance. "No one can blame me, and I am sure that I have done my duty." "Yes, Aunt, dear, quite," said Neil soothingly. "Go and get a good night's rest. I don't think there will be any need, but if it is necessary I will have you called." "Encouraging!" he said to himself as he returned to the sick room, thinking that after all it was very natural on his aunt's part, for it must seem to her only a short time since he was a boy at home, when, upon the death of his mother, she had come to keep house. Alison rose from a chair near the bed as he closed the door, and signed to him to come to the other end of the room. "I say," he whispered, "I don't like the governor's breathing. Just you go and listen. Its catchy like and strange." Neil crossed to the bed and bent down over the sleeping man, felt his pulse, and came back. "Quite natural," he said, "for a man in his condition. I detect nothing strange." Alison looked at him curiously, turned away, and walked softly up and down the shaded room, to stop at last by his brother. "I don't want to upset you," he said, "but I feel obliged to speak." "Go on," said Neil, "but I know what you are going to say."