"I have lost my balance," thickly answered Mr.Lavender, whose blood was running to his head, which was now lower than his feet." Fortunately, my dog seems to be holding me from behind.But if someone could assist her it would be an advantage, for I fear that I am slipping.""Hold on!" cried the young lady.And breaking through the low privet hedge which separated the domains, she vanished beneath him with a low gurgling sound.
Mr.Lavender, who dared not speak again for fear that Blink, hearing his voice, might let go to answer, remained suspended, torn with anxiety about his costume."If she comes in," he thought, "I shall die from shame.And if she doesn't, I shall die from a broken neck.What a dreadful alternative! And he firmly grasped the most substantial lilac-boughs within, his reach, listening with the ears of a hare for any sound within the room, in which he no longer was to any appreciable extent.
Then the thought of what a public man should feel in his position came to his rescue."We die but once," he mused; "rather than shock that charming lady let me seek oblivion." And the words of his obituary notice at once began to dance before his eyes."This great public servant honoured his country no less in his death than in his life.' Then striking out vigorously with his feet he launched his body forward.The words "My goodness resounded above him, as all restraining influence was suddenly relaxed; Mr.Lavender slid into the lilac-bush, turned heels over head, and fell bump on the ground.He lay there at full, length, conscious of everything, and especially of the faces of Blink and the young lady looking down on him from the window.
"Are you hurt?" she called.
"No," said Mr.Lavender that is--er--yes," he added, ever scrupulously exact.
"I'm coming down," said the young lady.
"Don't move!"
With a great effort Mr.Lavender arranged his costume, and closed his eyes." How many lie like this, staring at the blue heavens!" he thought.
"Where has it got you?" said a voice; and he saw the young lady bending over him.
"'In the dorsal region, I think," said Mr.Lavender."But I suffer more from the thought that I--that you--""That's all right," said the young lady; "I'm a V.A.D.It WAS a bump!
Let's see if you can----" and taking his hands she raised him to a sitting posture."Does it work?""Yes," said Mr.Lavender rather faintly.
"Try and stand," said the young lady, pulling.
Mr.Lavender tried, and stood; but no, sooner was he on his feet than she turned her face away.Great tears rolled down her cheeks; and she writhed and shook all over.
"Don't!" cried Mr.Lavender, much concerned."I beg you not to cry.
It's nothing, I assure you--nothing!" The young lady with an effort controlled her emotion, and turned her large grey eyes on him.
"The angelic devotion of nurses!" murmured Mr.Lavender, leaning against the wall of the house with his hand to his back."Nothing like it has been seen since the world began.""I shall never forget the sight!" said the young lady, choking.
Mr.Lavender, who took the noises she made for sobbing, was unutterably disturbed.
"I can't bear to see you distressed on my account," he said."I am quite well, I assure you; look--I can walk!" And he started forth up the garden in his nightshirt and Norfolk jacket.When he turned round she was no longer there, sounds of uncontrollable emotion were audible from the adjoining garden.Going to the privet hedge, he looked aver.She was lying gracefully on the grass, with her face smothered in her hands, and her whole body shaking."Poor thing!" thought Mr.Lavender."No doubt she is one of those whose nerves have been destroyed by the terrible sights she has seen!" But at that moment the young lady rose and ran as if demented into her castle.Mr.Lavender stayed transfixed.
"Who would not be ill for the pleasure of drinking from a cup held by her hand?" he thought."I am fortunate to have received injuries in trying to save her from confusion.Down, Blink, down!"For his dog, who had once more leaped from the window, was frantically endeavouring to lick his face.Soothing her, and feeling his anatomy, Mr.Lavender became conscious that he was not alone.An old lady was standing on the gardenpath which led to the front gate, holding in her hand a hat.Mr.Lavender sat down at once, and gathering his nightshirt under him, spoke as follows: