s a very light-hearted affair. She had never seen Monck in so genial a
mood. She had not believed him capable of it. For though he looked
wretchedly ill, his spirits were those of a conqueror.

Doubtless he regarded the turn in Tommy's illness as a distinct and
personal victory. But was that his only cause for triumph? She wished
she knew.

CHAPTER VI

THE NIGHT-WATCH

When Stella saw Tommy again, he greeted her with a smile of welcome that
told her that for him the worst was over. He had returned. But his
weakness was great, greater than he himself realized, and she very
quickly comprehended the reason for Major Ralston's evident anxiety.
Sickness was rife everywhere, and now that the most imminent danger was
past he was able to spare but little time for Tommy's needs. He placed
him in Stella's care with many repeated injunctions that she did her
utmost to fulfil.

For the first two days Monck helped her. His management of Tommy was
supremely arbitrary, and Tommy submitted himself with a meekness that
sometimes struck Stella as excessive. But it was so evident that the boy
loved to have his friend near him, whatever his mood, that she made no
comments since Monck was not arbitrary with her. She saw but little of
him after their early morning meal together, for when he could spare the
time to be with Tommy, she took his advice and went to her room for the
rest she so sorely needed.

She hoped that Monck rested too during the hours that she was on duty in
the sick-room. She concluded that he did so, though his appearance gave
small testimony to the truth of her supposition. Once or twice coming
upon him suddenly she was positively startled by the haggardness of his
look. But upon this also she made no comment. It seemed advisable to
avoid all personal matters in her dealings with him. She was aware that
he suffered no interference from Major Ralston whose time was in fact so
fully occupied at the hospital and elsewhere that he was little likely
to wish to add him to his sick list.

Tommy's recovery, however, was fairly rapid, and on the third night
after her arrival she was able to lie down in his room and rest between
her ministrations. Ralston professed himself well satisfied with his
progress in the morning, and she looked forward to imparting this
favourable report to Monck. But Monck did not make an appearance. She
watched for him almost unconsciously all through the day, but he did not
come. Tommy