it was the sixth day, and edith dalton was doing well—the wound was doing well. as for the woman, she lay with indifferent eyes looking at the white wall of her room and waiting recovery. the only time that the look in the eyes changed was when aunt jane appeared in the doorway for a moment, or sat by her bed. then it would deepen to a question and flicker toward hope.

"doing well?" aunt jane would say. "they give you good things to eat, don't they?"

the woman smiled faintly. "yes."

"that's right. eat and sleep. and hope don't hurt—a little of it."

"aunt jane?" the voice had a sharp note. the invalid was resting against the pillows that had been raised on the bed.

"yes?" aunt jane turned back.

"hasn't he been to see me—once—my[pg 78] husband?" there was a shamed, half-imperious note in the words.

aunt jane sat down comfortably by the bed and looked at her. then she shook her head chidingly.... "i've never seen a sick person yet that wasn't unreasonable," she said.

the woman's face relaxed. "i know," she said apologetically, "but when one is sick the days are long."

"you told me, that was four-five days ago," said aunt jane, "that you didn't want to see him or hear his name mentioned. at least, that's what i understood."

the woman was not looking at her.

"so when he's been here, time and again—three times a day, some days—i've told him you couldn't see anybody—not even your husband.... i thought that was what you wanted."

"yes," said the woman faintly.

aunt jane nodded. "and now you're acting hurt and keeping yourself from getting well."

the woman flushed a little. "i don't think i am."

[pg 79]

"yes, you are," said aunt jane comfortably. "of course it don't make any real difference. you'll get well sometime.... only it seems foolish. well, i must be going on my rounds. keep up good courage." she stood up and moved toward the door.

"aunt jane."

"yes."

"you haven't time to stop a few minutes?"

"why, yes. i've got plenty of time, if you want me. there's two operations this morning, but everything's ready."

"two operations?" the woman's lips grew white.

"one's a man with five children. got to lose his leg.... his wife's plucky. she's gone right to work earning money. but she's coming this morning to be with him for the operation. she says he'll stand it better. i guess she's right. they seem pretty close together.... that's the only thing i really envy in this world," said aunt jane slowly, ... "having a husband that loves you and cares." she sat quietly watching the locust leaves outside the window. they shimmered in the light.

[pg 80]

the woman raised a hand. "you don't understand," she said.

"like enough not," said aunt jane. "it's hard work understanding other folks' feelings. i don't more'n half understand mine.... i suppose you were kind of disappointed in him...?

"i don't know—" the words faltered.

"they be, mostly."

"is every one unhappily married?" the voice flashed at her.

"well, i didn't say just that. but most of 'em find it different from what they expected—men being men.... women are women, too. i'll have to go now. it's time for the man, and she'll be waiting in the parlor. i told her to wait there." she rose slowly. "you don't want to see him, if he should happen to come to-day?"

"no." the lips trembled a little and closed over the word.

"all right," said aunt jane soothingly. "take plenty of time to get well. he can wait. he's a good kind to wait, i can see that." she had drifted out.

the woman's eyes followed her eagerly[pg 81] with a question in them. she put up her hands to cover them. "yes," she said softly, "he can wait."

as aunt jane opened the waiting-room door the man sprang to his feet. he was radiant with a look of courage, and his eyes glowed as he came toward her.

she shook her head, smiling a little. then she turned to a young woman waiting by the door. she was strong and fresh and a look of purpose gleamed in her face. aunt jane looked at her approvingly. "go down to room 20, mrs. patton, on the left-hand side. i've told dr. carmon you're to be there. it's all right."

as the young woman left the room she turned to him again.

"won't she see me?" he asked.

"have patience three or four days more," she said slowly. "she'll be wanting to see you before long now."

"how do you know?" he reached out a hand.

"i don't know, but i seem to feel it in my bones. she's most well.... she's well all through."

[pg 82]

and she left him standing there, a glad light in his eyes, while she went down the corridor to the man waiting in room 20.