CAPT. G. I don't. Pull her together if it's possible. (_Aside._) What have I done to deserve this? DOCTOR. (_Bending over bed._) Now, Mrs. Gadsby! We shall be all right to-morrow. You _must_ take it, or I shan't let Phil see you. It isn't nasty, is it? VOICE. Medicines! _Always_ more medicines! Can't you leave me alone? CAPT. G. Oh, leave her in peace, Doc! DOCTOR. (_Stepping back,--aside._) May I be forgiven if I've done wrong. (_Aloud._) In a few minutes she ought to be sensible; but I daren't tell you to look for anything. It's only-- CAPT. G. What? Go _on_, man. DOCTOR. (_In a whisper._) Forcing the last rally. CAPT. G. Then leave us alone. DOCTOR. Don't mind what she says at first, if you can. They--they--they turn against those they love most sometimes in this.--It's hard, but-- CAPT. G. Am I her husband or are you? Leave us alone for what time we have together. VOICE. (_Confidentially._) And we were engaged _quite_ suddenly, Emma. I assure you that I never thought of it for a moment; but, oh, my little Me!--I don't know _what_ I should have done if he _hadn't_ proposed. CAPT. G. She thinks of that Deercourt girl before she thinks of me. (_Aloud._) Minnie! VOICE. Not from the shops, Mummy dear. You can get the real leaves from Kaintu, and (_laughing weakly_) never mind about the blossoms--Dead white silk is only fit for widows, and I _won't_ wear it. It's as bad as a winding sheet. (_A long pause._) CAPT. G. I never asked a favour yet. If there is anybody to listen to me, let her know me--even if I die too! VOICE. (_Very faintly._) Pip, Pip dear. CAPT. G. I'm here, darling. VOICE. What has happened? They've been bothering me so with medicines and things, and they wouldn't let you come and see me. I was never ill before. Am I ill now? CAPT. G. You--you aren't quite well. VOICE. How funny! Have I been ill long? CAPT. G. Some days; but you'll be all right in a little time. VOICE. Do you think so, Pip? I don't feel well and--Oh! what _have_ they done to my hair? CAPT. G. I d-d-don't know. VOICE. They've cut it off. What a shame! CAPT. G. It must have been to make your head cooler. VOICE. 'Just like a boy's wig. Don't I look horrid? CAPT. G. Never looked prettier in your life, dear. (_Aside._) How am I to ask her to say good-bye? VOICE. I don't _feel_ pretty. I feel very ill. My heart won't work. It's nearly dead inside me, and there's a funny feeling in my eyes. Everything seems the same distance--you and the almirah and the table--inside my eyes or miles away. What does it mean, Pip? CAPT. G. You're a little feverish, Sweetheart--very feverish. (_Breaking down._) My love! my love! How can I let you go? VOICE. I thought so. Why didn't you tell me that at first? CAPT. G. What? VOICE. That I am going to--die. CAPT. G. But you aren't! You shan't. AYAH _to punkah-coolie_. (_Stepping into veranda after a glance at the bed._) _Punkah chor do!_ (Stop pulling the punkah.)