“Take care of yourself,” signed Markel. “I know you’re out of practice, but please try.” I flapped a hand in not-quite-acknowledgement and left the infirmary, feeling somewhat lighter than I had on entry, if no less exhausted. Sleep would perhaps have been sensible, but just at that moment I lacked the wit to go and rest, as three separate people had now suggested I do, half out of fear that being alone with my own thoughts would cause my pending bill of distress to come due, and half out of sheer contrariness.
