I should
die, wouldn't he?" More terrible little laughs as Trudy still nestled
in the warm curve of Mary's arm.

"You mustn't talk," Mary said. "That's an order."

Gay tiptoed in to say that the doctor had returned but no nurse was
available. They might get one in a few days.

"I'll stay," Mary offered.

Trudy smiled again. "Rather--have--Mary," she managed to gasp.

The doctor was a preoccupied man who did not fancy late calls on
foolish little creatures wearing silk nightgowns when they were
nearing death. He gave some drastic orders and Gay was dispatched with
a list of articles to be bought while Mary hunted high and low in the
disorderly apartment, finally wrapping Trudy in thick draperies, the
only sensible things she could discover.

Trudy lay very still for a few minutes. Mary thought she was dozing
until she said in an animated voice: "Did you see the ring? It's a
wonderful stone." Wilfully she thrust her skeleton-like fingers out
from the bed covers.

Mary nodded. But Trudy was not to be discouraged.

"Gee, but that ring made a lot of trouble. Mary, come here, deary.
Will you forgive me? They say you forgive the dead anything. Listen, I
was awfully discouraged and Gay was so mean and I was all wrong,
anyway--you know--foolish--see? Beatrice was mean, too.... I want you
to marry Steve because he loves you, and a divorce won't break her
heart--you just see if it does. I always knew he was the one you
liked--and he does care now. Sure, he does. You can tell. Even I can
tell, Mary.... I just told her so--and my, she is wild but won't admit
it. She never asked me to her house after that if she could get out of
it. And now I'm sorry--and I want you to have the ring. That will help
some, won't it? You tell Gay what I said. You must have it. Your
fingers are thin and long and can carry it off well. And so you do
forgive me, don't you? I shouldn't have told her, but I couldn't help
it, she was so mean. And now he cares--and you can be happy----"

"You told Mrs. O'Valley?"

Trudy was panting. Perspiration stood on the white forehead as she
managed to finish: "I said you always loved her husband and now he
loves you--and I am sorry. But I was mad at them all; you can't
understand because you're not my sort.... But you can be happy now.
Marry him and make him happy."

She dozed into a contented sleep. A little later it was all over.

CHAPTER XX

Gay's course of action was exactly what his wife had