Neither one of them knew I was on earth. I hardly knew it myself. For
the first time in my life I was seeing the real thing and the wonder of
it almost petrified me.

What else might have happened is an untold tale. Jane saved the
situation. I had not noticed her absence. She now entered, carrying a
tray well filled with crackers and a beverage which she placed before
Page. "Honey, I don't believe in any of those spirit-rising liquors even
when you faint, but I made this jape gruice right off our own vine and
fig tree and I know it's pure and innocent. Yes, Zura, grape juice is
what I said. Page can drink every gallon I have if he wants it, and I'll
toast cheese and crackers for him all night."

The twist in Jane Gray's tongue might lead to laughter, but her heart
never missed the road to thoughtful kindness.

Very soon Page said he felt much better and would get home and to bed.
When he took his coat and hat from the hall he looked so weak, so near
to illness, I begged him to stay and let us care for him. He gently
refused, saying he would be all right in the morning. I followed him to
the gate. He turned to say good-night.

I put my hands on his shoulders and with all the affection at my command
I invited his confidence. "What is it, son? I'm an old woman, but maybe
I can help you. Let me try."

He lifted his hands to mine and his grasp was painful. The dim light
from the old bronze lantern reflected the tears in his eyes as he
answered: "Help me? You have in a thousand ways. I'll soon be all right.
I'm just a little over-worked. Haven't slept much lately. Need rest."

Then leaning near with sudden tenderness: "Heaven bless you, dear woman.
You have been as good to me as my own mother. Some day--perhaps.
Good-night. Don't worry, Miss Jenkins."

Why didn't he throw me over into a bramble patch and tell me not to get
scratched? I just leaned my old head up against the gate and cried.

I returned to the house by a rear door, for Jane was in the living-room.

XVI

ENTER KOBU, THE DETECTIVE

The compensation of the morning's belated brightness came in the golden
glory with which it flooded the world, so warm it melted the hoar frost
jewels on tree and shrub, so tender the drooping roses lifted their pink
heads and blushed anew. It was the kind of a morning one knew that
something was waiting just ahead. It required no feat of intellect for
me to know that a great many somethings awaited my little hous