message which was hurriedly burnt in the bedroom candle.  The day we moved into the cottage I saw a rose in the garden which I thought would please and refresh my patient.  I stepped over the threshold to find my nose in conjunction with the highly-polished barrel of an unfriendly rifle.  There was no necessity for me to understand the guttural speech of the guard, to appreciate that he desired me to return into the house at once.  I did so.  Efforts to induce Mr. Hammond to take a little exercise in the garden I soon gave over.  After a few steps (a guard only two feet behind him) he would be utterly exhausted, and would almost faint away on reaching his chair again.  Under these petty irritations my husband showed an angelic patience and fortitude that alarmed me.  It was so unlike his normal self.  I longed to hear him cuss a cosy swear; it would have braced us both.  But he was gentle, and appreciative of little kindnesses; so, to keep from weakening tears, I took to swearing myself.

Pretoria was like a steam bath.  Frequent thunderstorms were followed by a blazing sun.  Vegetation grew inches in a day, and emitted a rank smell.  People were sallow and languid, and went about with yellow-white lips.  My husband was losing strength perceptibly.

I called upon Dr. Messum, and begged that he would summon Dr. Murray, our family physician, from Johannesburg, in consultation.  He preferred a Hollander.  I would have none of them!  We haggled, and he gave in.  Dr. Murray came to Pretoria.  He was very grave when he came out of my husband’s sick room.  His report to the Government gained the allowance of a daily drive, but even for this slight exertion the sick man was soon too feeble.  I wanted to take him to the bracing heights of Johannesburg, but lawyers and physicians advised me not to make this request.  Johannesburg was still a red rag to the Government, and I would be sure to meet with a rebuff.  Notwithstanding, I went one night at eleven o’clock, escorted by Lieutenant de Korte, carrying a glimmering lantern, to interview Dr. Schaagen van Leuwen, and laid the case before him.

My husband would surely die if kept in Pretoria; the Government physician who had been attending him could attest the truth of my statement.  I begged to be allowed to take him to his home in Johannesburg, under whatever restrictions or guard the Government might choose to impose. Johannesburg was my desire, and I positively refused to accept any alternative.  Dr. Schaagen van Leuwen was very kind, and promised to do all he could to help me, and he gave me good reason to hope that my request would be considered.

In the morning I went again to visit Dr. Messum, this time with Mr. Percy Farrar.  I urged him to send in his report of my husband’s case at once, as he seemed inclined to let the matter drift.  Mr. Farrar and I also drew his attention to the condition of the Jameson Cottage.  The walls were covered with mildew from the recent rains and the floor damp with seepage water.  Mr. Phillips was suffering from lumbago, and Mr. Fitzpatrick with acute neuralgia.