nd here the deuce of a while."

"Wouldn't you like me to wheel you back through the grove?" questioned
the tutor.

"Oh, there's no use in that. Suppose you get out the pillows and help
me into the boat. I'll lie there a while and rest."

"All right."

With a ready smile Mr. Hazen plunged into the shack and soon returned
laden with the crimson cushions, which he arranged in the stern of the
canoe with greatest care. Afterward he picked Laurie up in his arms as
if he had been a feather and carried him to the boat.

"How's that?" he asked, when the invalid was settled.

"Fine! Great, thanks! You're a wonder with pillows, Mr. Hazen; you
always get them just right," replied the lad. "Now if I only had my
book----"

"I could go and get it."

"Oh, no. Don't bother. Ted will be here before long, won't he? What
time is it?"

"About half-past three."

"Only half-past three! Great Scott! I thought it must be nearly four by
this time. Then I have quite a while to wait, don't I? I don't see why
you got me over here so early."

"I don't either," returned Mr. Hazen pleasantly. "I'm afraid my watch
must have been wrong."

Laurie moved restlessly on the pillows. He had passed a wretched night
and was worn and nervous in consequence.

"I guess perhaps you'd better run back to the house for my book,"
remarked he presently. "I shall be having a fit of the blues if I have
to hang round here so long with nothing to do."

"I'm perfectly willing to go back," Mr. Hazen said. "But are you
sure----"

"Oh, I'm all right," cut in the boy sharply. "I guess I can sit in a
boat by myself for a little while."

"Still, I'm not certain that I ought to----"

"Leave me? Nonsense! What do you think I am, Hazen? A baby? What on
earth is going to happen to me, I'd like to know?"

"Nevertheless I don't like to----"

"Oh, do stop arguing. It makes me tired. Cut along and get the book,
can't you? Why waste all this time fussing?" burst out the invalid
fretfully. "How am I ever going to get well, or think I am well, if you
keep reminding me every minute that I am a helpless wreck? It is enough
to discourage anybody. Why can't you treat me like other people? If you
chose to sit in a boat alone for half an hour nobody'd throw a fit. Why
can't I?"

"I suppose you can," retorted the tutor unwillingly. "Only you know we
never do----"

"Leave me? Don't I know it? The way people tag at my heels drives me
almost crazy sometimes. You wouldn't