The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-02-28
CHAPTER 43. MARK AS PATIENT

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 MARK AS PATIENT
 The house in which Mark Lode ly lay strapped immovably into a plaster cast was as little like a hospital as one could expect. Its facade was cheerful and inside it was reasonably quiet.
 Marks room was on the ground floor so that when the weather and his mood permitted he could be wheeled on to covered porch at the back. Mrs. Lodely visited him daily. Armitage dropped in as seemed necessary and Ken meth Poole come when he was sent for.
 "The sight of me gives him a bad night" Poole had explained solemnly to Armitage. Fact. One of his nurses told me so. It's far better I should keep away and give the dear fellow every chance of recovery"
 Nevertheless you must be there this afternoon at half-past four I've asked Leila Cane too. See she's punctual will you?"
 Right you are Guv."
 Armitage entered the building on this foggy day at four o'clock pre- cisely and stood for a moment in the outer hall taking off his over coat. The house-doctor, passing on the other side of the glass swing ing doors, pulled them open and called a cheery greeting. At his request Armitage followed him in to his office.
 "The patient, MT Armitage, has reduced two nurses to tears, given me more lip than I've stood from anyone in my life and thrown a water jug at his mother. But I understand that's more or less his usual frame of mind"
 Armitage grinned.
 He has always had a vicious temper. I'm not an admirer of his character, you know, only of his talent"
 The nurses always report him more cheerful after he has made someone thoroughly wretched," the doctor added. Its the people whose heart he can't break that depress him so." .,o
 Armitage thought it wiser not to reveal that one of these harder hearted callers was expected pune tually at four He listened atten- lively while the doctor became lyrical in Sir Robert Philhay's praise, agreed for the twentieth time that the cure was Well-nigh miraculous, and made his way to Marks room and Marks inevitable impertinences.
 As he entered Marks room he heard Marks voice, thin and dry with temper.
 How can you possibly write any letters for me when you misspell every other word? And how do you know I have any to write un- less you've been reading my cor respondence?"
 That's a downright wicked thing to say, Mark! You know I'd never do huch a thing. I have my faults but spyin' and ferritin' is not amongst them. Hullo, here's Far rell! DO you" Mrs. Lodely look ed doubtfully from the visitor to the patient-"do you feel like see- in F,arrell?"
 Marks head turned on its one flat pillow.
 My dear Judy, if it weren't for Armitage's bounty I shouldn't be here at all" He smiled, the smile that slightly showed his teeth and narrowed his eyes. "The ques- ton of whether want to see you or not, A r m a g e, doesn't really arise. Does it?'
 Mark! You know Farrell, he's had bad night that's all it is. He doesn't mean half what he says"
 Armitage sat down by the wheel ed couch His aversion was for the moment more from the mother than from the son. How unpleas- ing she was in appearance, so slovenly and down at heel She wore an ill-made grey suit, a brown blouse under it and a tie that matched neither. Her hat