Chapter 30

One touch was enough: the bed had been made upon a mattress some two inches thick. Ammiral cleared his throat. “Look here, Elaine——” A resolute voice cut him short. “Sorry, my dear, but I—I—‘absolutely refuse’. I’m sorry to have asked for the water, but I had to get you out of the way. And now I’m washed and in bed and just falling asleep. And this bed doesn’t need a mattress: I never was so comfortable before. And warm and everything. So please don’t disturb me any more, and I hope you’ll sleep very well. Good nig…