she can say things
that are not so with a smile in public and cry her eyes out when alone?
That's what I have been doing lately, though I can't let tears have
much time, for I am not by nature a crier, and they would disturb Miss
Susanna at night. In my secret heart I just wrote that letter to Billy
because I was indignant with him for not writing to me for more than
two weeks, and I didn't intend to let him think I was sitting on a
tombstone waving a willow branch in one hand and wiping tears away with
the other. And, besides, I have been in love. Summer love. And it
has been exciting. No one could expect me to go through life and not
have but one experience in love making and hearing, and because a girl
enjoys the different manners of expression it doesn't mean she is not
particular about the story not being illustrated. I don't illustrate
or allow illustrations, which, of course, lessens some of the thrill,
but I promised Jess I would always draw the line at the right time, and
I have. I have not been engaged for half a minute, and I wouldn't have
added the postscript if it hadn't been for her letter and what she told
me about that girl from some Western town who is no more his sort than
I am her brother's. Billy is perfectly blind about some things, and
has no discrimination where it is most needed. Anyhow, I added the
postscript:

_P.S.--By the time you get this I may be engaged. Thank you for what
you would say if here._

_K. C._

CHAPTER XXII

It was after I sent the letter that I got so restless I couldn't sit
still, and as there was nothing I enjoyed doing I spent a good deal of
my tune at the hospital with Miss Polk, who is a very splendid person,
and every day I went in to see Mrs. Stafford. She is having the
grandest rest, with rubs and good eats and nothing to do but be waited
on and cared for, that a tired person ever had, and I am the only one
who is allowed to see her, which is beyond the understanding of
Twickenham Town. I'm cheerful is the reason I'm allowed to see her,
the town is told, and that's enough for it to know.

It certainly is queer how some things happen in the nick of time.
Father sent me the money, but told me to try to be as practical as
possible, knowing I am given to doing impractical things; and I took it
to Miss Polk, and nobody but she and I know where it came from. And
then she invited Mrs. Stafford to be a guest of the hospital for a
month. I happened