letting her know the truth."

Perhaps the optimistic words of Phoebe rang in the ears of the big
doctor as he bent over Mother Bab's sightless eyes and began the tedious
operation. His hands moved skilfully, with infinite precision, cutting
to the infinitesimal fraction of an inch.

Afterward, when Mother Bab had been taken away, he sought Phoebe. "I
hope," he said, "that your faith was not unwarranted, though I can't
promise anything yet."

"Oh, I'm surer now than ever!" the girl said happily.

But at times, in the days of waiting, her heart ached. What if the
operation had failed, what if Mother Bab would have to bear cruel
disappointment? All the natural buoyancy of the girl's nature was
required to bear her through the trying days of waiting. With the
dawning of the day upon which the bandage should be removed and the
truth known Phoebe's excitement could not be restrained.

"I can't wait!" she exclaimed. "I want to be right there when he takes
it off. I want you to see me first, since David isn't here."

Long after that day it seemed to her that she could hear Mother Bab's
glad, sweet voice saying, "I can see!"

"I can see!" The words were electric in their effect. Phoebe gave an
ecstatic "Oh!" then hushed as her lips trembled.

"You win," the big doctor said to her.

"Oh, no, not I! You! But I knew she'd see again!"

"She sees again, but," he cautioned, "Mrs. Eby, there must be no reading
or sewing or any close work to strain your eyes."

"Oh, doctor, it's enough just to see again! I can do without the reading
and writing, for Phoebe, here, does all that for me. And I'll not miss
the sewing. I'm glad I can potter around the garden again and plant
flowers and _see_ them and"--her voice broke--"I think it's wonderful
there are men like you in the world!"

CHAPTER XXXIV

BUSY DAYS

THE news of the operation spread quickly and with it spread the
interesting information that Mother Bab was keeping her sight as a
surprise for David. So it happened that no letters to him contained the
news, that even the town paper refrained from printing the item of heart
interest and David's surprise was unspoiled.

His letters to Mother Bab were long and interesting and always required
frequent re-reading for the mother.

"I wanted to read that letter awful bad," she confessed to Phoebe one
day, "but I didn't. I'm not taking any chances with my eyes. I'm too
glad to be able to see at all. The letter came t