to wake up as from a long and tumultuous sleep. The first thing
I saw was the palm roof of our house upon the rock. I knew it was our
house, for just above me was a palm leaf of which I had myself tied the
stalk to the framework with a bit of coloured ribbon that I had chanced
to find in my pocket. It came originally from the programme card of
a dance that I had attended at Honolulu and I had kept it because I
thought it might be useful. Finally I used it to secure that loose leaf.
I stared at the ribbon which brought back a flood of memories, and as I
was thus engaged I heard voices talking, and listened--Bickley's voice,
and the Lady Yva's.

"Yes," Bickley was saying, "he will do well now, but he went near, very
near."

"I knew he would not die," she answered, "because my father said so."

"There are two sorts of deaths," replied Bickley, "that of the body and
that of the mind. I was afraid that even if he lived, his reason would
go, but from certain indications I do not think that will happen now. He
will get quite well again--though--" and he stopped.

"I am very glad to hear you say so," chimed in Bastin. "For weeks
I thought that I should have to read the Burial Service over poor
Arbuthnot. Indeed I was much puzzled as to the best place to bury him.
Finally I found a very suitable spot round the corner there, where it
isn't rock, in which one can't dig and the soil is not liable to be
flooded. In fact I went so far as to clear away the bush and to mark out
the grave with its foot to the east. In this climate one can't delay,
you know."

Weak as I was, I smiled. This practical proceeding was so exactly like
Bastin.

"Well, you wasted your labour," exclaimed Bickley.

"Yes, I am glad to say I did. But I don't think it was your operations
and the rest that cured him, Bickley, although you take all the credit.
I believe it was the Life-water that the Lady Yva made him drink and the
stuff that Oro sent which we gave him when you weren't looking."

"Then I hope that in the future you will not interfere with my cases,"
said the indignant Bickley, and either the voices passed away or I went
to sleep.

When I woke up again it was to find the Lady Yva seated at my side
watching me.

"Forgive me, Humphrey, because I here; others gone out walking," she
said slowly in English.

"Who taught you my language?" I asked, astonished. "Bastin and Bickley,
while you ill, they teach; they teach me much. Man just same now