her good-bye. Then she went back to the arbour to await Elnora's return. As she watched down the road she smiled softly.
"I had an idea he would speak to me first," she thought, "but this may change things some. He hasn't time. Elnora will come back a happy girl, and she has good reason. He is a model young man. Her lot will be mighty different from mine."
She picked up her embroidery and began setting dainty, precise little stitches, possible only to certain women.
On the road Elnora spoke first. "I do hope it is nothing serious," she said. "Is he usually strong?"
"Quite strong," said Philip. "I am not at all alarmed but I am very much ashamed. I have been well enough for the last month to have gone home and helped him with some critical cases that were keeping him at work in his heat. I was enjoying myself so I wouldn't offer to do, and he would not ask me to come, so long as he could help it. I have allowed him to overtax himself until he is down, and mother and Polly are north at our cottage. He's never been sick before, and it's probable I am to blame that he is now."
"He intended you to stay this long when you came," urged Elnora.
"Yes, but it's hot in Chicago. I should have remembered him. He is always thinking of me. Possibly he has needed me for days. I am ashamed to go to him in splendid condition and admit that I was having such a time I forgot to come home."
