He fell asleep after all. He didn’t dream again. The Bishop sat beside him that night, and when Morgan woke, the Bishop was dressed, reading a book by the window. Morgan’s entire body hurt, as if he were a tyro set upon by the Fourth. His throat stung. His eyes ached.
—You’ll want a bath, the Bishop said.
He left the room and returned shortly to report that Mrs. Hallows was drawing one in the upper bathroom.
—Not the one in St. Anne’s. Don’t worry.
Relief at the news mixed with shame at his fear, which belonged to the night. In the light of morning with the sound of shears outside the window, he had no business on a divan in the Bishop’s bedroom. He wasn’t the Bishop’s child, and it had been wet to wish for it.
—I was thinking an outing today, the Bishop said. Could you manage that?
—I’m not an invalid, he croaked.
—I didn’t mean to suggest it. Very well, then, breakfast in half an hour. Chop-chop.
* * *
He bathed without incident. Breakfast passed in silence. They ate porridge, which Morgan found singularly satisfying. He had thought the Academy’s porridge had ruined the foodstuff for life, but he was mistaken. Perhaps if he could eat bowl upon bowl of it, with the summer honey Mrs. Hallows set out in a dish, it would soothe his throat and fortify the muscles in his eyes, which had so failed him lately.
They had not finished eating when the doorbell rang. Presently, Elizabeth breezed into the dining room, dispelling their silence and everything that had passed between them.
She chattered away to her father, bidding Morgan a simple Good morning. She did not like the pallor of her father’s cheeks, but she was relieved to hear that Mr. Rollins had promised to come by this morning. She hoped her father would mind his physician and, once the man had left, catch up on his resting.
Morgan’s chest sank in disappointment. He’d liked the sound of an outing. If the Bishop was going to rest, what would become of him all the long day?
—Come along, you, Elizabeth said, kissing her father on both cheeks. Yes, you.
Morgan looked up uncertainly.
—You can’t expect to monopolize my father. Besides—
Her tone softened:
—there’s something I need help with. And I was quite hoping you’d be able to do it.