Her own thoughts were with Guy alone. She ate mechanically, half
unconsciously watching the door, her ears strained to catch any
sound.
"He will probably sleep for hours," Burke said, breaking the
silence.
She looked at him with a start. She had almost forgotten his
presence. She met his eyes and felt for a few seconds oddly
disconcerted. It was with an effort she spoke in answer.
"I hope he will. That suffering is so terrible."
"It's bad enough," said Burke. "But the morphia habit is worse.
That's damnable."
She drew a sharp breath. She felt almost as if he had struck her
over the heart. "Oh, but surely--" she said--"surely--having it
just once--like that----"
"Do you think he is the sort of man to be satisfied with just once
of anything?" said Burke.
The question did not demand an answer, she made none. With an
effort she controlled her distress and changed the subject.
"How long will Dr. Kieff stay?"
Burke's eyes were upon her again. She wished he would not look at
her so intently. "He will probably see him through," he said.
"How long that will take it is impossible to say. Not long, I
hope."
"You don't like him?" she ventured.
"Personally," said Burke, "I detest him. He is not out here in his
professional capacity. In fact I have a notion that he was kicked
out of that some years ago.
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