inability to fasten his attention on her League of Mercy was because
his brain was occupied with problems of state. It made her feel
selfish and guilty. When his visitor decided that to explain further
was but to waste his valuable time and had made her third effort to go,
Everett went with her. He suggested that she take him to the hospital
and introduce him to the sisters. He wanted to talk to them about the
Red Cross League. It was a charming walk. Every one lifted his hat to
Monica; the beggars, the cab-drivers, the barefooted policemen, and the
social lights of Camaguay on the sidewalks in front of the cafes rose
and bowed.

"It is like walking with royalty!" exclaimed Everett.

While at the hospital he talked to the Mother Superior--his eyes
followed Monica. As she moved from cot to cot he noted how the younger
sisters fluttered happily around her, like bridesmaids around a bride,
and how as she passed, the eyes of those in the cots followed her
jealously, and after she had spoken with them smiled in content.

"She is good," the Mother Superior was saying, "and her brother, too,
is very good."

Everett had forgotten the brother. With a start he lifted his eyes and
found the Mother Superior regarding him.

"He is very good," she repeated. "For us, he built this wing of the
hospital. It was his money. We should be very sorry if any harm came
to Mr. Ward. Without his help we would starve." She smiled, and with
a gesture signified the sick. "I mean they would starve; they would
die of disease and fever." The woman fixed upon him grave, inscrutable
eyes. "Will Your Excellency remember?" she said. It was less of a
question than a command. "Where the church can forgive--" she paused.

Like a real diplomat Everett sought refuge in mere words.

"The church is all-powerful, Mother," he said. "Her power to forgive
is her strongest weapon. I have no such power. It lies beyond my
authority. I am just a messenger-boy carrying the wishes of the
government of one country to the government of another."

The face of the Mother Superior remained grave, but undisturbed.

"Then, as regards our Mr. Ward," she said, "the wishes of your
government are--"

Again she paused; again it was less of a question than a command. With
interest Everett gazed at the whitewashed ceiling.

"I have not yet," he said, "communicated them to any one."

That night, after dinner in the patio, he reported to Garland the wor