He was to have met scores of friends and fought again scores of old battles, and to have dined with the crews in the evening! What was to become of all these plans now?
He was absolutely a prisoner at this poor fellow's bedside.

He did not know his address at home, or where to send for help.

Besides, even if he could discover it, it would be twenty-four hours at least before he could hand over his charge into other hands.
These selfish regrets, however, only flashed through Railsford's mind to be again dismissed.

He was a brave man, and possessed the courage which, when occasion demands, can accept a duty like a man.

After all, was it not a blessing his cab had not come five minutes earlier than it had?
Suppose this poor sufferer had been left with no better guardian than the brusque Mrs Phillips, with her scruples about "catching" disorders?
The doctor's trap rattled up to the door at last.