Then remembering Mary had planned some secret for the professor, Cleo
stepped out in the hall, ostensibly to read a big, framed testimonial,
but really to give Mary some time alone with him. A nurse stepped up
to Cleo and spoke very cordially.

"Isn't he wonderfully better?" asked the white gowned young woman, with
the capable air, so characteristic of professional women.

"Yes, he seems greatly improved," replied Cleo.

"His mind is unfolding like a child's," went on the nurse. "The
doctors think his home life has been against him. He is such a
profound student, and has had no relaxation. The wheels just buzz in
one direction all the time," said the nurse with a very attractive
smile. Cleo had always a high regard for the graduate nurse, but she
decided this girl was her ideal of the type.

"Are you cousins?" asked the nurse kindly.

"No," replied Cleo, "but very dear friends."

"I must go now," Mary's voice floated from the little veranda off the
professor's room, and Cleo turned back from the corridor. "Cleo, come
here a moment," called Mary. "Grandie wants to say something to you."

Cleo advanced to take the professor's hand as he held it to her.

"Little girl," he said, as his eyes lighted with a soft, affectionate
glow. "Mary has been telling me--and it is all remarkable. You are
wonderful little girls to have rescued her, and I feel, daughter, the
time is coming when we shall be able at least to thank you, though we
never can do that adequately. I have given Mary permission to break a
pledge we took when we came back to New York months ago. Months!" he
repeated. "It seems like years. But I believe now it was all a
question of health; we were both sick from fright. There!" and he
reluctantly raised his voice to the note of dismissal. "I must not
anger my good nurse, and this interview was restricted to just thirty
minutes by that faithful little clock."

"Then you think the--other matter--will be all right that way." Mary
faltered with the evident intention of being understood by the
professor only.

"Oh yes, child, that is splendid. Just do it as we planned--and, Mary,
remember to use your cheeks. Daughter," this to Cleo, "see that my
little girl draws some money for the good things you all like. She has
plenty of it," and he shook his head definitely. "She must not want
for anything a little girl should have."

More puzzled than ever, Cleo made her adieux, and when she and Mary