s lips weren't like that!' the girl asserted with eagerness.

All three gazed long at the impassive face.

'Of course they were,' said John, coldly discouraging. Leonora made no
remark.

The unblinking eyes of Uncle Meshach continued to stare upwards and
outwards, indifferently, interested in the ceiling. Outside could be
heard the creaking of stairs, and the affrighted whisper of the maids as
they descended in deshabille from their attics at the bidding of this
unconscious, cynical, and sardonic enigma on the bed.

* * * * *

'His heart is beating faintly.'

Old Dr. Hawley dropped the antique stethoscope back into the pocket of
his tight dress coat, and, still bending over Uncle Meshach, but turning
slightly towards John and Leonora, smiled with all his invincible
jollity.

'Is it, by Jove?' John exclaimed.

'You thought he was dead?' said the doctor, beaming.

Leonora nodded.

'Well, he isn't,' the doctor announced with curt cheerfulness.

'That's good,' said John.

'But I don't think he can get over it,' the doctor concluded, with
undiminished brightness, his eyes twinkling.

While he spoke he was busy with the hot water and the cloths which
Leonora and Rose had produced immediately upon demand. In a few minutes
Uncle Meshach was covered almost from head to foot with cloths drenched
in hot mustard-and-water; he had hot-water bags under his arms, and he
was swathed in a huge blanket.

'There!' said the rotund doctor. 'You must keep that up, and I'll send a
stimulant at once. I can't stop now; not another minute. I was called
to an obstetric case just as I started out. I'll come back the moment
I'm free.'

'What is it--this thing?' John inquired.

'What is it!' the doctor repeated genially. 'I'll tell you what it is.
Put your nose there.' He indicated Uncle Meshach's mouth. 'Do you notice
that ammoniacal smell? That's due to uraemia, a sequel of Bright's
disease.'

'Bright's disease?' John muttered.

'Bright's disease,' affirmed the doctor, dwelling on the famous and
striking syllables. 'Your uncle is the typical instance of the man who
has never been ill in his life. He walks up a little slope or up some
steps to a friend's house, and just as he is lifting his hand to the
knocker, he has a convulsion and falls down unconscious. That's Bright's
disease. Never been ill in his life! Not so far as _he_ knew! Not so far
as _he_ knew! Nearly all you Myatts had weak ki