"Back?" repeated Swann. "Back? You haven't been listening. I'm a
wreck. All through violating man's primeval instinct by messing about in
cold water. What is the news?"

Hardy pondered and shook his head. "Nugent is going to be married in
July," he said, at last.

"He'd better have had that trip on the whaler," commented Mr. Swann; "but
that is not news. Nathan Smith told it me this morning."

"Nathan Smith?" repeated the other, in surprise.

"I've done him a little service," said the invalid. "Got him out of a
mess with Garth and Co. He's been here two or three times, and I must
confess I find him a most alluring rascal."

"Birds of a feather--" began Hardy, superciliously.

"Don't flatter me," said Swann, putting his hand out of the bed-clothes
with a deprecatory gesture.

"I am not worthy to sit at his feet. He is the most amusing knave on the
coast. He is like a sunbeam in a sick room when you can once get him to
talk of his experiences. Have you seen young Nugent lately? Does he
seem cheerful?"

"Yes, but he is not," was the reply.

"Well, it's natural for the young to marry," said the other, gravely.