Chapter 40

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The next morning, Leander thought he was being woken up by Mrs. Dawson, as she had the next day after the fire. As his eyes focused, he realized it was the nurse again.

“Reverend Norris, can you hear me?”

“Yes,” he whispered a bit stronger than the day before. “What day is it?” he asked in a hoarse voice.

“It’s Thursday; you’ve been out since Saturday evening. How are you feeling?” She spoke in a quiet voice that mirrored his own.

“I’m terribly hungry,” Leander said. He tried to sit up, but dizziness overcame him.

“Slowly, sir, slowly,” the nurse coaxed him. Her soft hands soothed his skin, as she helped him sit upright. He had not had a kind touch in more than a year. “You were in a pretty serious row, sir.”

“Yes, I imagine so.” Voices at the door grabbed Leander’s attention. Weeks and Noble were outside.

“I’ll be back with your breakfast. In the meantime, please rest some more.”