bees, and butterflies, which
flitted and buzzed on all sides. He spoke but seldom, and seemed to
take very little interest in the world of business of which he had but
recently taken such an active part.

Whether this change was due to weakness Jess could not tell. That he
did not once refer to her escapade and the trouble she had caused,
surprised her not a little. She waited upon him faithfully, at first
almost day and night, and he seemed pleased to have her by his side.
But she feared lest when he recovered his former strength his old
imperious manner would return. She longed for him to remain the quiet,
gentle, unassertive man that he now was.

Not until the second week after the fire did Mrs. Randall visit her
husband. She had wanted to come as soon as she learned of the
accident, but owing to her nervous disposition the doctor ordered that
she should stay at home. She would only be in the way, and her
presence would be bad for the patient, so he explained. When finally
she did come, she was very restless, and it was difficult to know what
to do with her. She became hysterical when she saw her husband lying
so still and white, and she furiously upbraided Jess for her rebellion,
and the trouble she had brought upon the family. But after a few days
she quieted down, took an interest in the family affairs, and seemed to
enjoy being out in the open. She became greatly attached to Mrs.
Hampton, whose calmness and gentleness of manner won her affection.

"I wish I were like you," she one day confided, as she watched Mrs.
Hampton at her work.

"In what way?" was the smiling reply.

"Nothing seems to worry you in the least. No matter what happens, you
remain perfectly unruffled. Now, I am altogether different."

"Perhaps I have my troubles, too," was the quiet response. "But I try
to keep busy and not worry too much about them. Perhaps you have too
much idle time on your hands."

"That may be so," and Mrs. Randall sighed. "You have a clear
conscience, at any rate. But I, oh, you have no idea how I have
sinned. I am sure that I can never be forgiven for what I have done.
If you knew what I have done, you would spurn me as one unfit to stay
in your house another minute."

"Does your husband know about it?" Mrs. Hampton asked. She understood
quite well to what this woman was referring, and only with an effort
did she maintain her composure, although her heart beat fast.

"No, he has no idea of w