"Did they?" the woman questioned, and her voice was softer than usual.
Then she remained silent for a few seconds, looking absently before
her. "See here, Rod," and she smiled upon the boy for the first time
in her life, "I will forgive you for what you said about my nose if you
will tell me something."

"What is it?"

"You remember that fine looking man, with the blue eyes, and hair
streaked with grey."

"Can't say that I do, Miss Arabella."

"He was the one who held me in his arms while you dropped that horrid
key down my neck."

"Oh, yes, I know now."

"Well, Rod, do you think he cared much that I was hurt?"

"Yes, I think he did."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. He looked awful scared when you tumbled into the ditch."

"Ah, I knew it," and the invalid closed her eyes, while a smile
overspread her face. "I felt from the first that he cared," she
murmured.

Then she lay so perfectly still that Rod thought she had fainted. He
stepped to her side, and touched her hand.

"Miss Arabella," he began, "have you fainted?"

"Oh, I thought that he was standing by my side," she simpered. "I must
have been dreaming."

"No, it's only me, and I would like to have the key. They can't have
the wedding till I get back."

"What wedding?" and the invalid sat suddenly bolt upright.

"Why, Bill Stebbins and Susie Sanders want to get married, and they
can't get into the church 'cos you have the key down your neck."

"A wedding! What thoughts of bliss come to my mind at that word," and
Miss Arabella clasped her hands, while her eyes rolled up to the
ceiling.

Rod was now becoming very impatient. He thought of the crowd waiting
before the rectory, and Parson Dan's anxiety.

"The key, Miss Arabella," he insisted. "Will you please----"

"And you think he cared?" the woman interrupted.

"Yes. But, Miss----"

"And did he look at me much with those splendid blue eyes?"

"I think he did, Miss Arabella. But will you please give me the key.
They are waiting----"

"And do you think he will come back, Rod? He said that he would return
soon. But men are so fickle."

A new idea suddenly shot into Rod's mind.

"Give me the key, Miss Arabella, and I will go after that man. It will
be my good turn."

"Oh, will you?" and the woman's face lighted up with joy. "Don't tell
him that I sent you."

"No, I won't. But the key, where is it? If it's down your neck, I'll
go out of the room until you find it."

"And