!"

"Oh! I can see through a person if he ain't _too_ dazzlin'!" Susan Jane
drank from the cup of coffee that David held to her lips. "I s'pose
you'd like t' take a tray int' her, David?"

"Now, Susan Jane, don't be so amusin'! It's wonderful how ye keep yer
spirits."

"Spirits! David, I s'pose you're speakin' sarcastic. You think my mind
ain't right. You're treatin' me like a child!" The woman turned from the
cup, weeping audibly.

Janet at this point noiselessly arose and made a hurried toilet.
Sickness, physical weakness of any kind, was repulsive to the girl of
perfect health and outdoor nature; but one thing she realized. While she
stayed at the lighthouse she must share David's burden. Her sense of
loyalty to David made this imperative. She must help him how and when
she could; and she must be as silent as he in regard to it.

"Good morning!" she cried presently, going into the living room. "Here,
Cap'n David, take your place at the table. I'll do the rest. You won't
mind, Susan Jane, will you, if I boss a little? I'm so used to bossing
my Cap'n Billy."

"'T ain't decent fur a great girl like you, Janet, t' call Billy in that
fashion. Father seems good enough for the other girls around here."

"I like my way better;" Janet smiled over the plate of biscuits she was
bearing from the range. "I'm saucy and bossy, Susan Jane, but I've good
points, too. Here, I'll spread your biscuits and fix your eggs. David,
you finish your breakfast and go to bed. I'll feed Susan, and tidy up."

David cast a grateful look at her and Susan Jane turned to her breakfast
with an appetite that was one of the few pleasures left to her stricken
existence.

All that morning, to the accompaniment of Susan Jane's complaints,
praise of herself, and disapproval of Janet's appearance and manners,
the girl did the housework, prepared the midday meal, and thought her
busy thoughts. At twelve o'clock, David issued forth from the bedroom.
He was heavy-eyed from sleep and dishevelled as to looks.

"By gum!" he exclaimed, going out to Janet on the porch; "I s'pose ye
wanted t' go up t' the Hills this mornin', an' peddle yer good looks. I
clean forgot yer ambitions, I was that sodden with weariness."

"No, Davy, it's all right. I want to get my breath first. I'm going to
Bluff Head this afternoon. I may not have many more chances. I hear
Bluff Head is going to be opened, too."

"Yes: Mr. Devant sent word down to Eliza Jane Smith t' have th