Gerard was in no doubt as to the vocation of his visitor, for, the sword excepted, this was familiar to him as the full dress of a physician.

Moreover, a boy followed at his heels with a basket, where phials, lint, and surgical tools rather courted than shunned observation.

The old gentleman came softly to the bedside, and said mildly and sotto voce, "How is't with thee, my son ?" Gerard answered gratefully that his wound gave him little pain now; but his throat was parched, and his head heavy.
"A wound! they told me not of that.

Let me see it.

Ay, ay, a good clean bite.