“I’m going to take a day off and enjoy it,” smiled Lucas.  “You take a day off too, doctor.  Make the mater go out in the car.  I shall do wonders to-morrow after a good laze to-day.”

Capper looked him over keenly, pulled his beard, cracked his fingers, and yielded.  “Guess a rest won’t do you any harm.  There’s no reason to hustle you any that I can see.”

And Lucas spent the whole morning basking in the sunshine in almost unbroken silence.  He did not sleep at all.  His eyes, remote and thoughtful, were for the most part watching the specks that danced and floated in the rays of light that streamed across his bed.

Nap forebore to disturb him, but he remained within call.  He knew with sure intuition that sooner or later Lucas would summon him.  Almost he knew what he would say.

The call came at last, very quiet and deliberate.  “Boney!”

Instantly Nap presented himself.

“Come here a minute, old chap.  No, I’m not wanting anything—­only a word in private.  Say, Boney, is Anne still stopping here?”

He had seen her nearly every day since the operation, but he had been too drowsy to ask any questions.  He had only smiled upon her, and sometimes for a little had held her hand.

“She is backwards and forwards,” said Nap.  “I believe she is spending to-night.”

“Ah!  Then, Boney, I want you to speak to her—­to-night.”  He looked up at his brother with his old, kindly smile.  “It’s for my own sake, old chap,” he said.  “You know, I didn’t sleep last night.  I was thinking about her—­about you both.  And I want her to know everything to-night.  I shall sleep the easier when she knows.”

Nap stood silent.  His face was set in hard lines.

“Will you tell her, Boney?”

“What am I to tell her?” said Nap,

“Tell her the truth, dear fellow, so that she understands it.  Make her realise that the dearest wish of my life is her happiness—­and yours.”  He reached up a hand to the motionless figure beside him.  “Just this one thing, Boney,” he pleaded gently.  “Remember—­I came back because of it.  It will be my happiness too.  I want to feel that all is well between you.  God knows I want it more than anything else on earth.”

Nap gripped the proffered hand and held it fast.

“But she won’t have me, you know,” he said, after a moment.  “She only forgave me because of you.”

“Shucks, dear fellow!  I guess that wasn’t the reason.”

“I wish to heaven you’d let me off,” Nap said, with sudden vehemence.  “Let me shunt first instead of last.  It’s more than I can face—­even for you.”

“But I guess you’ll face it all the same,” said Lucas gently.  “And when it’s over, come—­both of you—­and tell me.”

He closed his eyes and turned his face to the sunshine.  “So long, old chap!” he said.  “Don’t stay indoors.  I’m not wanting you.  Think I’ll get to sleep presently.  Don’t let them wake me if I do.”