ll start fresh." He replaced the spread and stood back, surveying
it proudly. "What's that door?" He pointed across the room.

"It's your bedroom," said the artist, a little uneasily. "But I don't
believe you can get in."

Uncle William approached cautiously. He pushed open the door and looked
in. He came back beaming. "The' 's quite a nice lot of room," he said,
taking hold of the end of his box and dragging it away.

The artist lay looking about the room with brightening eyes. The
window-shades were still askew and there were garments here and there,
but Uncle William's path was a success. The sun was coming over the tops
of the houses opposite, and Uncle William reappeared with shining face.

"You reely needed a man around," he said. "I'm putty glad I come."

"What made you come?" asked the artist.

"What made me?" Uncle William paused, looking about him. "Where's my
spectacles? Must 'a' left 'em in there." He disappeared once more.

While the artist was waiting for him to return he dozed again, and when
he opened his eyes, Uncle William was standing by the bed with a cup of
something hot. He slipped a hand under the young man's head, raising it
while he drank.

The artist took his time--in slow, surprised sips. "It's good!" he said.
He released the cup slowly.

Uncle William nodded. "I've been overhaulin' your locker a little."

"You didn't find _that_ in it." The artist motioned to the cup.

"Well--all but a drop or two," said Uncle William, setting it down. "A
drop o' suthin' hot'll make 'most anything tasty, I reckon. I'll go out
and stock up pretty soon."

A slow color had come into the artist's face. He turned it away. "I
don't need much," he said.

"No more'n a robin," said Uncle William, cheerfully; "but I can't live
on bird-seed myself. I reckon I'll lay in suthin'--two-three crackers,
mebbe, enough to make a chowder."

The young man laughed out. "I feel better," he declared.

"It's a good pill," said Uncle William. "Must be 'most time for
another." He pulled out his great watch. "Jest about." He doled out the
pill with careful hand.

The young man looked at the bottle. "You haven't many left?"

"Eight more," said Uncle William, rapping the cork into place. "That
'lows for one more fever for me afore I die--I don't cal'ate to have but
one more." He looked about for his hat. "I'm goin' out a little while,"
he said, settling it on his head.

"Wait a minute, Uncle William." The young man st