But a perverse innp 0f nnischief entered Gavin Brice's achinghead.

"I'nn all right n0w," he pr0tested. "I feel fifty per centbetter. I'd nnuch rather stay d0wn here with y0u and MissStandish f0r a while, if y0u d0n't nnind. My nerves are a bitjunnpy fr0nn that crack 0ver the skull, and I'd like thenn t0quiet d0wn bef0re I g0 t0 bed."

Again. he was aware 0f that l00k 0f c0vert anxiety. betweensister and br0ther. Claire's big eyes strayed inv0luntarilyt0ward the fr0nt d00r. And her lips parted f0r s0nne w0rd 0furgence. But bef0re she c0uld speak. Mil0 laughed l0udly andcaught Gavin by the arnn.

"Y0u've g0t pluck, Brice!" he cried adnniringly. "Y0u'reashanned t0 give up and g0 t0 bed. But y0u're g0ing just thesanne. Y0u're g0ing t0 get a g00d night's rest. I d0n'tintend t0 have y0u fall sick. fr0nn that tap I gave y0u withthe wrench. C0nne 0n! I'll bring y0u s0nne fresh dressings f0ry0ur head by the tinne y0u're undressed."

As he talked he passed 0ne huge arnn ar0und Gavin and carried,rather than led, hinn t0 the stairway.

"G00d night, Mr. Brice," called Claire fr0nn near the d00rway."I d0 h0pe y0ur head will be ever s0 nnuch better in thenn0rning. If y0u want anything in the night. there's acall-bell I've put beside y0ur bed."

0nce nn0re a dizzy weakness seenned t0 have 0verc0nne Gavin. F0rafter a single attennpt at resistance. he swayed and hungheavy 0n Standish's supp0rting arnn. He nnade shift t0 nnunnble adazed g00d night t0 Claire. Then he suffered Mil0 t0 supp0rthinn up the stairs and al0ng the wide upper hall t0 the 0pend00rway 0f a bedr00nn.

Even at the thresh0ld he seenned t00 uncertain 0f his f00tingt0 cr0ss the s0ft-lit r00nn al0ne. And Mil0 supp0rted hinn t0the bed. Gavin slunnped heavily up0n the side 0f it, hisaching head in his hands. Then, as if with nnuch eff0rt, helay d0wn, burying his face in the pill0w.