all the dangers it brings. And she frightens me so sometimes," she
continued after a slight pause. "She is different; more self-willed,
more self-centred. Besides, her touch has altered. She doesn't seem to
love me as she did--not in the same way."

"But she could never do anything else but love you," he interrupted
quickly, speaking for himself as well as Lucy, his voice vibrating
under his emotions. It was all he could do to keep his hands from her
own; her sending for him alone restrained him.

"I know that, but it is not in the old way. It used to be 'Sister,
darling, don't tire yourself,' or 'Sister, dear, let me go upstairs for
you,' or 'Cuddle close here, and let us talk it all out together.'
There is no more of that. She goes her own way, and when I chide her
laughs and leaves me alone until I make some new advance. Help me,
please, and with all the wisdom you can give me; I have no one else in
whom I can trust, no one who is big enough to know what should be done.
I might have talked to Mr. Dellenbaugh about it, but he is away."

"No; talk it all out to me," he said simply. "I so want to help
you"--his whole heart was going out to her in her distress.

"I know you feel sorry for me." She withdrew her hand gently so as not
to hurt him; she too did not want to be misunderstood--having sent for
him. "I know how sincere your friendship is for me, but put all that
aside. Don't let your sympathy for me cloud your judgment. What shall I
do with Lucy? Answer me as if you were her father and mine," and she
looked straight into his eyes.

The doctor tightened the muscles of his throat, closed his teeth, and
summoned all his resolution. If he could only tell her what was in his
heart how much easier it would all be! For some moments he sat
perfectly still, then he answered slowly--as her man of business would
have done:

"I should let her go."

"Why do you say so?"

"Because she will find out in that way sooner than in any other how to
appreciate you and her home. Living in two rooms and studying music
will not suit Lucy. When the novelty wears off she will long for her
home, and when she comes back it will be with a better appreciation of
its comforts. Let her go, and make her going as happy as you can."

And so Jane gave her consent--it is doubtful whether Lucy would have
waited for it once her mind was made up--and in a week she was off,
Doctor John taking her himself as far as the Junction, and seeing her
s