Page 50 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

‘Isn’t there? My mistake, then. Now come here, Miles.’
Miles obeyed.
‘Who is in the hospital?’
‘I dunno.’
‘Well, I want to go in.’
Miles scratched his head, and grinned.
‘Yer carn’t.’
‘Why not? You’ve let me in before.’ ‘Against the doctor’s
orders. He told me special to let no one in but himself.’
‘Nonsense.’
‘It ain’t nonsense. There was a convict brought in to-night,
and nobody’s to go near him.’
‘A convict!’ She grew more interested. ‘What’s the mat-
ter with him?’
‘Dunno. But he’s to be kep’ quiet until old Pine comes
down.’
She became authoritative.
‘Come, Miles, let me go in.’
‘Don’t ask me, miss. It’s against orders, and—‘
‘Against orders? Why, you were blustering about shoot-
ing people just now.’
The badgered Miles grew angry. ‘Was I? Bluster or no
bluster, you don’t go in.’ She turned away. ‘Oh, very well. If
this is all the thanks I get for wasting my time down here, I
shall go on deck again.’
Miles became uneasy.
‘There are plenty of agreeable people there.’
Miles took a step after her.
‘Mr. Frere will let me go in, I dare say, if I ask him.’