rst floor shades. Upstairs we always keep 'em drawn. And
then I don't remember another thing till I came to and found you in
the room."

"And she didn't come a minute too soon," croaked Miss Charity.

CHAPTER XIX

LOOKING BACKWARD

Doctor Morrison declared that it was due to Betty's skill in nursing
more than to his drugs, but it is certain that, once started, the
aunts gained steadily. In two or three days from the time they first
sat up he pronounced it safe for them to be dressed, and while they
were still a bit shaky, they took great delight in walking about the
house.

Bob was introduced to them off-handedly one morning by the doctor,
and though both old ladies started at his name, they said nothing.
After the physician's car had gone, Miss Hope came out on to the back
porch where Betty was peeling potatoes and Bob mending a loose
floor-board.

"My sister and I----" stammered Miss Hope, "we were wondering if you
were a neighbor's boy. We've seen so little of our neighbors these
last few years, that we haven't kept track of the new families who
have moved into the neighborhood. I don't recollect any Hendersons
about here, do you, Sister?"

Miss Charity, who had followed her, shook her head.

Bob looked at Betty, and Betty looked helplessly at Bob. Now that the
time had come they were afraid of the effect the news might have on
the sisters. Bob, as he said afterward, "didn't know how to begin,"
and Betty wished fervently that her uncle could be there to help them
out.

"A long time ago," said Miss Hope dreamily, "we knew a man named
Henderson, David Henderson. He married our younger sister."

Caution deserted Bob, and, without intending to, he made his
announcement.

"David Henderson was my father," he stated.

Miss Hope turned so white that Betty thought she would faint, and
Miss Charity's mouth opened in speechless amazement.

"Then you are Faith's son," said Miss Hope slowly, clinging to the
door for support. "Ever since Doctor Morrison introduced you, I
wanted to stare at you, you looked so like the Saunders. Faith
didn't--she was more like the Dixons, our mother's people. But you
are Saunders through and through; isn't he, Charity?"

"He looks so much like you," quavered Miss Charity, "that I'd know in
a minute he was related to us. But Faith--your mother--is she, did
she----?"

"She died the night I was born," said Bob simply. "Almost fifteen
years ago."

The sisters must have ex