Ralph Henry Barbour

“ From my waist to my neck, I am done up in plaster of paris and bandages, just like a disreputable old Egyptian mummy. This morning when I saw myself in the mirror—Tully allows me that privilege every day, when he shaves me—I thought I could see quite a resemblance to old Ptolemy. I'm not certain just which one, but I think number five, the one who married Cleopatra. I wonder why she married him.. I'll wager it wasn't on account of his good looks. Still I suppose, being a mummy for a few thousand years rather detracts from one's personal attractiveness. ”

“ You mustn't worry your mind about anything. It isn't good for you.”
“Oh Lord! Don't talk that way, please! It sounds just like Tully. He's forever saying: 'Don't think; relax your brain; rest.' Rest! If there's one thing I can do to the King's taste, it's rest. Good-afternoon, Miss Pryde. And a thousand thanks.”
His voice trailed off into silence. ”

“ Tully's way and find out more about him—about the invalid, I mean. He had certainly talked quite sensibly at times, and he had a splendid voice, deep and musical, although it sounds kind of strange to speak of a man's voice as being musical. And he had seemed so cheerful all the time, not a bit grumpy and fretful as most invalids are. I didn't tell Aunt Myra about it, for I didn't think she would approve, and as it was already done and couldn't be helped, what was the use of worrying her? ”

“ He's a good sort, old Tully, but the Lord filled him so full of brains that the humor got crowded out. That's why I'm going to ask you to say nothing about our talk in case you see him again. He wouldn't approve of it, I suppose. It's awful to have a keeper who is deficient in humor, Miss Pryde. ”

“ Tully's statement that he was not violent.
One thing I had discovered about the invalid, and that was that he was a young man. His voice had told me that. I should have guessed that his age was about thirty. Of course I invented a great many highly improbable stories about the occupants of the House in the Hedge, for life at Two Acres was still very quiet and I had lots of time on my hands. Almost every afternoon I took my book to the platform in the elm tree and read or thought. ”

“ Which was quite true, even if I had never done it.
“Elise says the cook over there is about sixty years old and never sets her foot outside the house,” said Aunt Myra.
“How does she know her age, then?”
“She saw her at the window yesterday. It's a very funny affair, all around. That's what I think. No one knows the sick man's name, nor where he comes from, nor—nor anything about him. ”