Which course would it be wisest to take ?--to inform Anne, by that day's post, that an interval of forty-eight hours must elapse before his father's recovery could be considered certain?
Or to wait till the interval was over, and be guided by the result?
Considering the alternatives in the cab, he decided that the wise course was to temporize with Anne, by reporting matters as they then stood.
Arrived at the hotel, he sat down to write the letter--doubted--and tore it up--doubted again--and began again--doubted once more--and tore up the second letter--rose to his feet--and owned to himself (in unprintable language) that he couldn't for the life of him decide which was safest--to write or to wait.
In this difficulty, his healthy physical instincts sent him to healthy physical remedies for relief.

"My mind's in a muddle," said Geoffrey.
"I'll try a bath." It was an elaborate bath, proceeding through many rooms, and combining many postures and applications.

He steamed.

He plunged.

He simmered.