a deep silence
enveloped the room. Out on the brown-green slope the sun's rays were
slanting low, the shadow of the cottage climbed the hill.

Well, Haig thought, he had bungled the business after all. That was
what came of trying to do it nicely, with delicacy. Hard words were
the kindest in the end, because the quickest understood.

She had not yet lifted her head when he turned to look at her again;
and that made it easier.

"I can't leave the ranch--just now," he said slowly. "If I could, I
would. So I think--I think you ought to go back home--to New York, I
mean--at once."

She did not answer. And it was only after another silence that she
looked up at him, and he saw that her eyes were still filled with
tears, and there was a curious little puckering of her chin.

"You said you wished you could repay me," she said. "Do you?"

"Yes," he answered, wondering. "But I told you--"

"But there is a way!"

"Well?"

"Promise me you will not ride Sunnysides."

He shook his head.

"No. I can't promise that."

"Why?"

"That's one of the things you couldn't possibly understand."

"But it's such a little thing!"

"If I gave you that, I should indeed have nothing left. You would have
all."

It was true that she could not in the least understand. But she knew
she could not move him.

"Then promise me," she pleaded, "that you'll not try it until you are
quite, quite well!"

"Oh. I promise you that!" he replied, with a grim smile.

"Thank you--Philip!"

Presently she arose, and looked down at him with a long, lingering
gaze that seemed to be searching for something in his features.

"You'll take just what Jim gives you?" she asked anxiously.

"Of course."

"And not try to--boss him about the medicines and the food?"

"I promise to obey orders."

"And you'll be very careful?"

"Yes."

She moved slowly toward the door. But halfway there she stopped, and
turned to look at him again. How could she leave him now? She
couldn't! She couldn't! He was gazing away from her, out through the
window. Wasn't he going to say a word to her--of farewell? She came
back unsteadily, and stood behind his chair, her hands stretched out
above his head. Then suddenly, impulsively, not touching him with her
hands, she leaned down, and kissed his forehead.

"Good-by!" she said, her voice breaking.

"Good-by!" he answered gently, but without turning his head.

He heard the door opened and closed, very softly. After t