"You
promised to stay in your room unless you were rung for," he said.
Scott's brows went up for a second; then, "For the night, yes!" he said.
"But the night is over. It is nearly six. I shan't sleep again. You go
and get what sleep you can."
Eustace's jaw looked stubborn. "If you will give me your word of honour
not to drug her, I'll go," he said. "Not otherwise."
Scott's hand pressed his shoulder. "You must leave her in my care now,"
he said. "I am not going to promise anything more."
"Then I remain," said Eustace grimly.
A muffled sob came from Biddy. She was weeping over her tea-kettle.
Scott took his brother by the shoulders as he sat. "Go like a good
fellow," he urged. "You will do harm if you stay."
But Eustace resisted him. "I am here for a definite purpose," he said,
"and I have no intention of relinquishing it. She has come through so far
without it, I am not going to give in at this stage."
"And you think your treatment has done her good?" said Scott, with a
glance at the drawn, motionless face on the pillow.
"Ultimate good is what I am aiming at," his brother returned stubbornly.
Scott's hold became a grip. He leaned suddenly down and spoke in a
whisper. "If I had known you were up to this, I'm damned if I'd have
stayed away!" he said tensely.
"Stumpy!" Eustace opened his eyes in amazement. Strong language from
Scott was so unusual as to be almost outside his experience.
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