“Let me see,” Ned said thoughtfully. “Was I dreaming, or have I seen Mr. Porson since I came here?” “You are not dreaming, Ned; but the fact is, you were not quite yourself yesterday. The excitement you had gone through had been too much for you.” “It all seems a dream to me,” Ned said in a hopeless tone, “a confused, muddled sort of dream.” “Don't think about it now, Ned,” the doctor said cheerfully, “but get off your things at once, and set to and sluice your head well with water. I will be back in a quarter of an hour with the breakfast.” At the end of that time the doctor returned, his boy carrying a tray. The constable on duty took it from him, and would have carried it into Ned's room, but the doctor said: “Give it me, Walker. I will take it in myself. I don't want him to see any of you just at present. His head's in a queer state, and the less he is impressed with the fact that he is in charge the better.” Dr. Green found Ned looking all the better for his wash. The swelling of his face had now somewhat abated, but the bruises were showing out in darker colors than before; still he looked fresher and better. “Here is your breakfast, Ned, and if you don't enjoy it Jane will be terribly disappointed.” “I shall enjoy it, doctor. I feel very weak; but I do think I am hungry.” “You ought to be, Ned, seeing that you have eaten nothing for two days.” The doctor removed the cloth which covered the tray. The meal consisted of three kidneys and two eggs, and a great pile of buttered toast. The steam curled out of the spout of a dainty china teapot, and there was a small jug brimful of cream. The tears came into Ned's eyes. “Oh! how good you are, doctor!” “Nonsense, good!” the doctor said; “come, eat away, that will be the best thanks to Jane and me.” Ned needed no pressing. He ate languidly at first; but his appetite came as he went on, and he drank cup after cup of the fragrant tea, thick with cream. With the exception of one egg, he cleared the tray. “There, doctor!” he said, as he pushed back his chair; “if you are as satisfied as I am you must be contented indeed.” “I am, Ned; that meal has done us both a world of good. Ah! here is Porson, just arrived at the right moment.” “How are you, Ned?” the master asked heartily. “I am quite well, sir, thank you. Sleep and the doctor, and the doctor's cook, have done wonders for me. I hear you came yesterday, sir, but I don't seem to remember much about it.” “Yes, I was here, Ned,” Mr. Porson said, “but you were pretty well stupid from want of sleep. However, I am glad to see you quite yourself again this morning.” “And now,” the doctor said, “we three must put our heads together and see what is to be done. You understand, Ned, how matters stand, don't you?”