as so much emotion in his face.

"What do you think my life would be without you?" said Gordon. "Aside
from your assistance, which I cannot do without, you are my only solace,
especially since Clemency is in this mood. Stay for my sake, if it is
unpleasant, Elliot."

"Well, I will stay, if you feel so about it, doctor," James replied.

"Clemency is treating you shamefully," Gordon said.

"A girl has a right to her own mind in such a matter, if she has in
anything."

"The worst of it is, it is not her mind. I tell you I know that."

"I am not so sure."

"Wait and see! You underestimate yourself, boy."

James laughed sadly. Then there was a knock on the office door and
Georgie K. appeared. He looked shyly at Gordon. He had a bottle under
his arm. "I have brought over a little apple-jack; thought it might do
you good," he stammered, his great face suffused like a girl's.

Gordon looked affectionately at him. "Thank you, Georgie K.," he said.
"Sit down and we will have a game. I'll get the hot water and glasses.
Emma is out."

"I'll get them," James said eagerly. He went out to the kitchen, but
Emma was not out. She was sitting sewing in a gingham apron.

"What do you want?" she demanded severely.

James explained meekly.

"Well, go back to the office, and I'll fetch the things," Emma said in a
hostile tone. James obeyed. Presently Emma appeared bearing a tray with
the hot water and two glasses, Gordon did not notice the omission of a
third glass, until she had gone out. "Why, she only brought two
glasses," he said.

James felt absurdly unequal to facing Emma again. "I don't think I'll
take anything to-night," he said.

"Nonsense!" returned Gordon. He went to the door and shouted for Emma
with no response. "She can't have gone upstairs so quickly," he said.
But when after another shout he got no response, he went himself into
the dining-room, and got a tumbler from the sideboard. "She must have
gone upstairs at once," he remarked when he returned. "The kitchen is
dark."

Georgie K. did not remain very late. He seemed nervously solicitous
with regard to Doctor Gordon. When he left he shook hands with him, and
bade him take good care of himself.

"I love that man," Gordon said, when the door had closed behind him.

When James entered his room that night he found fresh proof of Emma's
inexplicable hostility. The room was in total darkness. He lit matches
and searched for lamp or candles, to find none. He