, without looking at her. Presently he left
the room.

Mary remained alone with her father. His sweet, gentle face called to
her; she threw herself down beside him again and sobbed. For him whom
she loved best she had done least. Perhaps only because he never drew
attention to himself?

She did not leave him until the doctor came, and with him the nurse.
Then she went to Mrs. Dawes.

Mrs. Dawes was ill and in despair. Mary tried to comfort her, but she
interrupted passionately: "I have been too well off. I have felt too
secure. Now misfortune is at hand."

Mary started, for the thought had been in her own heart all the time.

"You are losing us both, poor child! And the money too!"

Mary did not like her mentioning the money. Mrs. Dawes felt this and
said:

"You don't understand me, my poor child! It is not your fault, it is
ours. We gave in to you too much. But you behaved so badly if we did
not."

Mary looked up, startled: "I behaved badly?"

"I spoke to your father, child; I spoke to him on the subject often. But
he was so tender-hearted; he always found some excuse."

Joergen entered with the doctor.

"If any complication arises, Miss Krog, the worst may happen."

"Will he be paralysed?" asked Mrs. Dawes.

The doctor evaded the question; he merely said: "Quiet is all
important."

Silence followed this utterance.

"Miss Krog, I cannot allow you to nurse your father. There ought to be
two trained nurses."

Mary said nothing. Mrs. Dawes began to cry again. "This is a sad change
of days."

The doctor took leave, and was escorted downstairs by Joergen Thiis. When
Joergen returned, he asked softly: "Shall I go too--or can I be of any
use?"

"Oh, do not leave us!" wailed Mrs. Dawes.

Joergen looked at Mary, who said nothing; nor did she look up. She was
weeping silently.

"You know, Miss Krog," said he respectfully, "that there is no one to
whom I would so willingly be of service."

"We know that, we know that!" sobbed Mrs. Dawes.

Mary had raised her head, but, Mrs. Dawes having spoken, she said
nothing.

When she left the room soon afterwards, Joergen was just opening his
door, which was next to Mary's. He stood for a moment with the door wide
open, so that she saw the packed portmanteau behind him. She stopped.

"You are going?" she said.

"Yes," answered he.

"It will be very quiet here now."

Joergen expected more, but no more came. Then he said:

"The shooting season begins imm