situations this was the most impossible. And
to make it worse, Hephzy, the usually prompt, reliable Hephzy, was of no
use at all.

"Do say something," I snapped. "What shall we do?"

"I don't know, Hosy, dear. Why!... Where are you going?"

"I'm going to the drug-store to get this prescription filled. I'll be
back soon."

The drug-store--it was a "chemist's shop" of course--was at the corner.
It was the chemist's telephone that I had used when I called the doctor.
I gave the clerk the prescription and, while he was busy with it, I
paced up and down the floor of the shop. At length I sat down before the
telephone and demanded a number.

When I returned to the lodging-house I gave Hephzy the powders which the
chemist's clerk had prepared.

"Is she any better?" I asked.

"She's just about the same."

"What does she say?"

"She's too weak and sick to say anything. I don't imagine she knows or
cares what is happening to her."

"Is she strong enough to get downstairs to a cab, or to ride in one
afterward?"

"I guess so. We could help her, you know. But, Hosy, what cab? What do
you mean? What are you going to do?"

"I don't know what I'm going to do. I'm going to take her away from this
hole. I must. I don't want to; there's no reason why I should and every
reason why I shouldn't; but--Oh, well, confound it! I've got to. We
CAN'T let her starve and die here."

"But where are you going to take her?"

"There's only one place to take her; that's to Bancroft's. I've 'phoned
and engaged a room next to ours. She'll have to stay with us for the
present. Oh, I don't like it any better than you do."

To my intense surprise, Hephzy threw her arms about my neck and hugged
me.

"I knew you would, Hosy!" she sobbed. "I knew you would. I was dyin' to
have you, but I wouldn't have asked for the world. You're the best man
that ever lived. I knew you wouldn't leave poor Ardelia's little girl
to--to--Oh, I'm so grateful. You're the best man in the world."

I freed myself from the embrace as soon as I could. I didn't feel like
the best man in the world. I felt like a Quixotic fool.

Fortunately I was too busy for the next hour to think of my feelings.
Hephzy went in to arrange for the transfer of the invalid to the cab and
to collect and pack her most necessary belongings. I spent my time in a
financial wrangle with Mrs. Briggs. The number of items which that woman
wished included in her bill was surprising. Candles and s