nning together in a zigzagging line that baffled
deciphering. The President inserted a finger in the report to mark his
place, making a mental note to consult his oculist the following day;
after which he leaned back and closed his eyes for the space of a
moment--to clear his vision.

When he opened his eyes again his vision had cleared to such an extent
that he was quite positive he was seeing things that were not in the
room. Little shadowy figures haunted the dark places: corners, and
curtained recesses, and the unlighted hall beyond. They peered at him
shyly, with such witching, happy faces and eyes that laughed coaxingly.
The President found himself peering back at them and scrutinizing the
faces closely. Oddly enough he could recognize many, not by name, of
course, but he could place them in the many institutions over which he
presided. It was very evident that they were expecting something of
him; they were looking at him that way. For once in his life he was at
loss for the correct thing to say. He tried closing his eyes two or
three times to see if he could not blink them into vanishing; but when
he looked again there they were, more eager-eyed than before.

"Well," he found himself saying at last--"well, what is it?"

That was all; but it brought the children like a Hamlin troop to the
piper's cry--flocking about him unafraid. Never in all his charitable
life had he ever had children gather about him and look up at him this
way. Little groping hands pulled at his cuffs or steadied themselves
on his knee; more venturesome ones slipped into his or hunted their way
into his coat pockets. They were such warm, friendly, trusting little
hands--and the faces; the President of Saint Margaret's Free Hospital
for Children caught himself wondering why in all his charitable
experience he had never had a child overstep a respectful distance
before, or look at him save with a strange, alien expression.

He sat very still for fear of frightening them off; he liked the warmth
and friendliness of their little bodies pressed close to him; there was
something pleasantly hypnotic in the feeling of small hands tugging at
him. Suddenly he became conscious of a change in the children's faces;
the gladness was fading out and in its place was creeping a perplexed,
questioning sorrow.

"Don't." And the President patted assuringly as many little backs as
he could reach. "What--what was it you expected?"

He was answer