Once more Rhoda accompanied her friend to the station, and waited
anxiously for the word which would surely be said concerning the
escapade which had cost so dear, but, like Evie, she was obliged to
introduce the subject herself.

"Have you nothing to say to me, Tom?" she asked wistfully. "I haven't
seen you since--you know when--but, of course, you heard how it
happened. It was all my fault. What are you going to say to me about
it?"

"Why, nothing, Fuzz!" said Tom, turning her little eyes upon the
quivering face with a tenderness of expression which would have been a
revelation to casual acquaintances who believed Miss Bolderston
incapable of the softer emotions. "Why should I? You have said it all
to yourself a hundred times better than I could have done, and who am I
that I should make myself a ruler or a judge over you?"

"But she is lame, you know!" said Rhoda, sadly. "Nurse says the knee is
stronger than she expected, but even so she will always limp. Imagine
Evie limping! She was such a graceful little thing, and tripped about
so lightly, and she was so proud of her little feet--I have spoiled her
future too, for she can never take such a good post again. I have
ruined her whole life."

"We will discuss that point ten years later; it is too early to decide
it yet. Many things happen that we do not expect," remarked Tom sagely,
whereat Rhoda shook her head in hopeless fashion.

"I cannot imagine anything happening that would make this any better--on
the contrary, Tom, it has made me realise how little help one can give,
and what a fraud money is when it comes to the test. I used to imagine
that I could do pretty nearly everything I wanted because I was rich,
but look at Evie! I would give my life to help her, but beyond a few
trumpery presents, and a little lightening of pain, what can I do? She
would not accept more, and one dare not offer it, though if she would
allow it we would be thankful to pension her off for life. Money can't
do everything I see!"

"That's a good thing! Let's be thankful for that, at least. It's worth
something to have learned that lesson," cried Tom cheerily, and for the
rest of the way to the station she talked resolutely on indifferent
subjects, refusing to be drawn back to the one sad topic. Only when the
last good-bye was said did she soften into tenderness, actually allowing
herself to be kissed without protest, and saying hurriedly in a low,
half-shamed