“Never took it,” said Algy, with a kick directed at his friend. “Shut up! It’s awfully kind of you coming to see a fellow--in such weather--Lady Jane!” “Yes,” she said composedly, placing herself in the easiest chair. “It would be kind if I had come without a motive--but I don’t claim that virtue. How are you, by the way? Better, I hope.” “Awfully well--as fit as a----, but they won’t let me budge in this weather. I’ve got a nurse that lords it over me, and the doctor, don’t you know?--daren’t stir, not to save my life.” “And occupying your leisure with elevating pastimes,” said Lady Jane. “Don’t be hard on a man when he’s down--nothing to do,” said Sir Charles. “Desert island sort of thing--Algy educating mouse, and that sort of thing; hard lines upon me.” “Does he know enough?” said Lady Jane with a polite air of inquiry. “I am glad to find you both,” she added, “and not too busy evidently to give me your attention. How did you manage, Algy, to catch such a bad cold?” “Pneumonia, by Jove,” the young man cried, inspired by so inadequate a description. “Well, pneumonia--so much the worse--and still more foolish for you who have a weak chest. How did you manage to do it? I wonder if your mother knows, and why is it I don’t find her here at your bedside?” “I say, don’t tell her, Lady Jane; it’s bad enough being shut up here, without making more fuss, and the whole thing spread all over the place.” “What is the whole thing?” said Lady Jane. “Went out in a bit of a yacht,” said Sir Charles, “clear up a bet, that was why we did it. Caught in a gale--my fault, not Algy’s--says he saw it coming--I----” “You were otherwise occupied, Charlie----” “Shut up!” Sir Charles was the speaker this time, with a kick in the direction of his companion in trouble. “I am glad to see you’ve got some grace left,” said Lady Jane. “Not you, Algy, you are beyond that--I know all about it, however. It was little Stella Tredgold who ran away with you--or you with her.” Algy burst into a loud laugh. Sir Charles on his part said nothing, but pulled his long moustache. “Which is it? And what were the rights of it? and was there any meaning in it? or merely fun, as you call it in your idiotic way?” “By Jove!” was all the remark the chief culprit made. Algy on his sofa kicked up his feet and roared again.