Refreshment then arrived
in the form of chops and strong ale for the ladies, and a basin of
beef-tea for the patient; which refection was barely at an end when John
Westlock appeared.
'Up and dressed!' cried John, sitting down beside him. 'That's brave.
How do you feel?'
'Much better. But very weak.'
'No wonder. You have had a hard bout of it. But country air, and change
of scene,' said John, 'will make another man of you! Why, Mrs Gamp,'
he added, laughing, as he kindly arranged the sick man's garments, 'you
have odd notions of a gentleman's dress!'
'Mr Lewsome an't a easy gent to get into his clothes, sir,' Mrs Gamp
replied with dignity; 'as me and Betsey Prig can certify afore the Lord
Mayor and Uncommon Counsellors, if needful!'
John at that moment was standing close in front of the sick man, in the
act of releasing him from the torture of the collars before mentioned,
when he said in a whisper:
'Mr Westlock! I don't wish to be overheard. I have something very
particular and strange to say to you; something that has been a dreadful
weight on my mind, through this long illness.
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