Then I have--ah--indigestion and
headaches and all sorts of miserable ailments. I shall forget again, of
course, and my friends, the normal ones, will tell me, as they always
do, that I need a--ah--keeper, so to speak. Oh, dear, yes."
She was indignant. "A keeper!" she repeated. "The idea! I do wish you
wouldn't keep speakin' of yourself as simple-minded or crazy, Mr. Bangs.
You are absent-minded, I know, but what of it? Whose business is that?"
He rubbed his chin. "Why, here," he observed, smiling slightly, "you
have been kind enough to make it YOUR business, Miss Martha. The reason
I do not have--ah--sunstrokes and colds and headaches here is that you
take pains to see that I am protected against their causes. I realize
that. And I realize, too," he added, "that in Egypt I shall miss
your--your great kindness. I shall miss all this--this room and
all--very much, indeed. I think--no, I know I have never spent such a
pleasant year as this has been. And I fear I shall never spend another
as pleasant."
She laughed, but she looked pleased, nevertheless.
"Nonsense!" she exclaimed. "You'll have many more a great deal
pleasanter, of course. You're well now, Mr. Bangs, and good health makes
such a difference. You will enjoy your work more than ever."
"Will I? I don't believe I shall. That is very odd, I know, but I
think it is true.
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