.'"

This ought to have been satisfactory. But it wasn't. And after he had
led up to it so tactfully, too! Not for the first time did it occur to
our psychologist that tact was wasted upon this downright young person.
He decided not to be tactful any longer.

"I'm getting well so rapidly," he said, "that I shall have to admit it
soon."

The girl nodded.

"Are you glad?"

"Of course I am glad."

"I shall walk with a cane almost in no time. And when I can walk, I
shall have to go away."

"Yes." There was no hesitation in her prompt agreement. Neither did she
add any polite regrets. The professor felt unduly irritated. He had
never become used to her ungirlish taciturnity. It always excited him.
The women he had known, especially the younger women, had all been
chatterers. They had talked and he had not listened. This girl said
little and her silences seemed to clamour in his ears. Well, she would
have to answer this time.

"Do you want me to go?" he asked plainly.

"I don't want you to go." Her tone was thoughtful. "But I know you
can't stay. One has to accept things."

"One doesn't. One can make things happen."

"How?"

"By willing."

"Do you honestly believe that?" He was astonished at the depth of
mockery in her tone.

"I certainly do believe it. I'll prove it if you like."

"How?"

"By staying."

Again she was silent.

He went on eagerly. "Why shouldn't I stay--for a time at least? I have
plenty of work to go on with. Indeed it was with the definite intention
of doing this work that I came. If you want me, I'll stay right enough.
The bargain that was made with your father was a straight, fair
business arrangement. I have no scruples about requiring him to carry
out his part of it The trouble was that it seemed as if insistence
would be unfair to you. But if you and I can arrange that--if you will
agree to let me do what I can to help, chores, you know, carrying wood
and so on, then I should not need to feel myself a burden."

"You have not been a burden."

"Thanks. You have been extraordinarily kind. As for the rest of it--I
mentioned the matter to Dr. Farr this morning."

She was interested now. He could see her eyes, intent, through the
falling shadow of her hair.

"I reminded him that he had offered me the services of a secretary and
explained that I was ready to avail myself of his offer."

"And what did he say to that?"

"Well--er--we agreed to leave the decision to you."

"Wa