I will see that you have a cup of really good tea sent
you in."
"No," Ned said with a laugh which it pained Mr. Porson to hear, "I
have not eaten since I had tea at home. It was only the day before
yesterday, but it seems a year."
On leaving the cell Mr. Porson went to Dr. Green, who lived only
three or four doors away, told him of the state in which he had found
Ned, and begged him to give him a strong and, as far as possible,
tasteless sedative, and to put it in a cup of tea.
"Yes, that will be the best thing," the doctor replied. "I had
better not go and see him, for talking will do him harm rather than
good. We shall be having him on our hands with brain fever if this
goes on. I will go round with the tea myself to the head constable
and tell him that no one must on any account be permitted to see
Ned, and that rest and quiet are absolutely necessary for him. I
will put a strong dose of opium into the tea."
Ten minutes later Dr. Green called upon the chief constable and
told him that he feared from what he had heard from Mr. Porson that
Ned was in a very critical state, and that unless he got rest and
sleep he would probably have an attack of brain fever, even if his
mind did not give way altogether.
"I was intending to have him removed at once," the officer said,
"to a comfortable room at my own house. He was only placed where
he is temporarily.
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