"See you in the morning." When the door had closed Neil reached toward the tray and with much difficulty buttered a piece of Graham bread, almost the only edible thing left.

Then he settled back against the pillows, not without several grimaces as the injured shoulder was moved, and contentedly ate it.

He was very well satisfied.

To be sure, a month of invalidism was not a pleasing prospect, but things might have been worse.

And the end paid for all.