in the reception-room a man was waiting. he was thick-set, with dark hair and eyes and an obstinate chin. he looked up with a doubtful flash as aunt jane came in.
"how is she?" he demanded. he had sprung to his feet.
aunt jane descended into a creaking chair and folded her hands quietly. "sit down, mr. dalton," she said; "i'm going to tell you all about it."
the words seemed to promise limitless details.
he sat down, chafing a little and looking at her eagerly.
she smiled on him. "hard work waiting, isn't it?" she said.
his face broke a little.
"has she come out of it?"
aunt jane nodded. "yes, she's got through." she rocked a little in the big chair. "she's standing it pretty well, considering," she added after a pause.
[pg 19]
"will she get well?" the question burst at her.
she looked up at him slowly—at the dark eyes and obstinate chin. "i don't know," she said. she waited a minute. "i suppose you'd rather know the truth," she asked.
"yes—yes."
"i thought so." the muslin strings nodded. "when my husband died they didn't let us know how sick he was. i've always thought we might have saved him—between us—if we'd known. they wanted to spare my feelings." she looked at him inquiringly.
"yes." he waited a little less impatiently. the world was a big place. everybody died.... would edith die?... he looked at her imploringly.
she returned the look with one full of gentleness. "i don't see how she's going to live," she said slowly. the face under its white cap took on a trance-like look. the eyes were fixed on something unseen. she drew a quick breath.... "but i guess she will," she said with a tremulous laugh.
the man's lips parted.
[pg 20]
she looked at him again. "if i were you, mr. dalton, i'd go home and feel pretty big and strong and well, and i'd hope pretty hard."
he looked at her, bewildered.
she was on her feet. she ran her eye over his face and person. "i'd wear the cleanest, freshest clothes i could get, and i'd look so 'twould do her good just to set eyes on me."
he flushed under the two days' growth of beard and ran his hand awkwardly across his chin. "but they won't let me see her?" he said.
"well, i don't know," responded aunt jane. "it'll do her good—whether she sees you or not," she added energetically.
he rose with a smile, holding out his hand. "i believe you're right," he said. "it gives me something to do, anyway, and that's worth a good deal."
"yes, it's something to do," she responded, "and i don't suppose any of us knows just what cures folks."
"could i see her to-morrow, perhaps?" he asked, watching her face.
[pg 21]
she shook her head emphatically. "not till i think best," she replied with decision.
his face fell.
"and not then," she said, "unless you're feeling pretty well and strong and happy."
he gave a little abrupt laugh. "oh, you've fixed that all right. i shan't sigh—not once—in a dark room—with the lights out."
aunt jane smiled serenely. "that's good." at the door she paused a moment. "i wouldn't reckon too much on seeing her," she said. "i shan't let any one see her till she asks. she won't pay much attention for three-four days yet."
a peculiar look crossed the man's dark face. "that's all right," he said. "i can wait."
outside the door he lifted his face a little to the fresh breeze. his eyes stared absently at the drifting sky. "now, how did she know edith wouldn't want to see me?" he said softly: "how did she find that out?"
