ted. It
was with an air of absolute timidity that he bent forward to kiss his
wife's cheek when bidden to depart by the autocrat of the situation.

"I must go, darling. I'll come back soon."

Jean's head moved slightly on the pillow, but the movement was away from
him, not nearer. She spoke no word.

Nurse Emma moved about the room, performing necessary duties in the
deft, noiseless manner of her kind. From time to time she cast a
curious glance at the still face on the pillow. "Poor thing! Too weak,
no doubt, to take it in! Yet she had seemed excited at the thought of
the boy. A pity, after such a hard time, but there would be plenty
more."

She shook out some dainty, lace-frilled garments before the fire, and
approached the bed, judiciously cheerful.

"Now, it is six o'clock! You are so much better this afternoon--what do
you say? Could you fancy a nice cup of tea?"

Jean opened her eyes, and looked at her. It was not a look, it was a
glare; the grey eyes were dry, tearless, blazing. At the sight Nurse
Emma was positively shaken with surprise.

"Oh, my dear, don't look at me like that! It was not my fault. We did
our best for you--more than our best. I never saw Dr Erroll so
anxious. You owe your life to him. It's sad, of course; a great
disappointment, but you are so young, and you have your good husband.
You mustn't fret."

"I am not fretting."

"Not? What then? You look--"

"Furious! I'm furious. I have been cheated. It's not fair."

"Oh, my dear! Don't talk like that. These things happen, you know.
You're not the first. We all have our troubles, and you are pulling
round so nicely. There was a time when we feared for you, too. You
must be thankful that your life was spared for your poor husband's sake.
It's been most trying for him, with your weakness, and the funeral, and
all. Come now, have a little cry. It will do you good. Then you shall
have some tea."

Jean glared at her again--glared with an intensity that was almost
hatred.

"You are a foolish woman," she said coldly. "You have no right to be a
nurse. Go away!"

Nurse Emma bit her lip and went back to her seat by the fire. Really!
But it was her duty to ignore the outbursts of irritable patients, and
preserve an unruffled calm, and she honestly strove to live up to her
creed. Half an hour later she renewed her offer of tea. When her
second and third attempt alike failed to produce any response, she
det