nley
carrying the blanketed figure and Billie bringing up the rear. Not the
buoyant, carefree Billie they were accustomed to see, a dejected, rather
limp-looking figure, with his eyes still full of horror.

"Why, mother," Jean exclaimed, "some one's been hurt." But it seemed as
though by some mysterious telepathy of love the news had already flashed
on Mrs. Robbins' mind, and she hurried down the road to meet them.

"She's all right," called Stanley, cheerily. "Just took a dip in the
river, Mrs. Robbins. If you'll go ahead, please, and get a bed ready, I'll
bring her up."

Kit's eyes were closed. He had told her to put her arms around his neck so
that he could carry her easier up the hill. Just as they got to the
veranda steps he said, under his breath:

"Are you all right, Kit?"

She nodded her head slowly, and opened her eyes.

"Thank you for getting me out," she whispered, with a shyness absolutely
new to the Kathleen of yore. "You don't know how I felt when I found
myself caught down there, and couldn't get away. I thought that was just
all."

"Bring her up-stairs, Stanley," called Jean. "Mother's telephoning to Dr.
Gallup, but I suppose the danger's all past now. Kit, you big goose, what
did you ever go in that boat alone for? The minute you're left alone,
you're always up to something. Just like the day when she had you locked
up in the corn-crib, Stanley."

Stanley smiled, a curious reminiscent smile, as he laid his burden down
on the white bed by the window.

Probably only Kit heard his answer, for Jean had sped after hot ginger
tea, and Helen and Doris were filling hot-water bottles, but Kit heard and
smiled as he said:

"God bless the corn-crib."

CHAPTER XXIX

KIT GIVES HER BLESSING

Probably the next three days were the longest Kit had ever spent in her
life. Under Dr. Gallup's orders, she remained in bed to get over the shock
of her immersion.

"When I don't feel shocked a bit," she expostulated. "I don't see why I
can't sit in a chair down on the veranda."

"Yes, you just want to pose as an interesting invalid," Jean laughed. She
laid a rose-pink negligee jacket on the foot of the bed, with a little
white lace boudoir cap, caught here and there with pink satin rosebuds.
"Mother just took these out of the treasures of the past for you to dress
up in, and Cousin Roxy sent down a stack of books for you to read. Stanley
and Billie call about six times a day to inquire after you, and