“If only I had known!” said Herold. “I was down there all the morning.” “You?” “I had a letter from Julia, summoning me.” “So had I.” He closed his eyes again for a moment. Then he asked, “How is Stella?” “I had a long talk with her. I may have straightened things out a bit. She 'll come round. There's no cause for worry for the present. Julia is a good soul, but she has no sense of proportion, and where Stella is concerned she exaggerates.” When a man has had rocks fall on his head, and again has fallen on his head upon rocks, it is best to soothe what is left of his mind. And after Walter had partly soothed it,--a very difficult matter, first, because it was in a troubled and despairing state, and, secondly, because, John, never having taken Unity into his confidence, references had to be veiled,--he satisfied the need of another brandy and soda. Then Ripley came in to announce that the room was ready. “Ripley and I will see to him,” said Herold to Unity. “You had better go and fetch him a change of clothes and things he may want.” “May n't I wait till the doctor comes?” she pleaded. “Of course, my dear. There 's no hurry,” said Herold. The two men helped Risca to his feet, and, taking him to the bedroom, undressed him, clothed him in warm pyjamas, and put him into the bed, where a hot-water bottle diffused grateful heat. Herold had seen the livid bruises on his great, muscular limbs. “Any one but you,” said he, with forced cheeriness, “would have been smashed to bits, like an egg.” “I tell you I'm tough,” John growled. “It's only to please you that I submit to this silly foolery of going to bed.” As soon as Ripley was dismissed, he called Herold to his side.