t to her, you bad thing."

Tonsilitis! He remembered now the damp rug and also certain sniffles
that had required, from time to time on the homeward trip, the
administration of a diminutive handkerchief with a pretty "N"
embroidered, he knew, in the corner. So that is the way he would look
after her!

"What can I do about it?" It was true that Mrs. Norris was taking it
very calmly.

"Do? Why, you can't do anything but wait until she gets over it. You
might go and see her when she begins to pick up."

"I caught cold myself." He had at least been true to that extent.

"Are you doing anything for it? Remind me when you go, and I'll give you
some Squim. It's something new, and it did wonders for Mary."

"Don't you think it might be nice for me to send Nancy some?" asked Tom,
laughing. Tonsilitis was seldom fatal, after all; and what an excellent
excuse to visit her it would be when she was getting better!

"Tommy, dear, haven't you something to tell me?"

"No, not really."

"Not anything?"

"Well, hardly anything." He was sitting near her, and now he leaned
forward and whispered, "I asked her to be my wife, and she refused." It
was not said, however, in the tone one would expect for such an unhappy
message. Mrs. Norris looked at him curiously. "She said she couldn't
answer me now, but as good as gave me permission to ask her again--and
when a girl talks that way, isn't it as good as settled?"

It did look promising, certainly. But then, there was Henry. "What about
Henry?" she asked. "How does he feel?"

"What has he to do with it?"

"Oh my, he has a lot to do with it. He's more than just a brother, you
know. He's her father and mother."

"And aunt, maiden aunt, as well."

Mrs. Norris laughed. "Henry's to be reckoned with, though, just like
Marshal Ney--or was it Cincinnatus? I never can remember."

"But, Mrs. Norris, what am I to do?"

"Why, you must just be very nice and thoughtful to Nancy and as decent
as you can be to Henry, and pray the Good Lord will help you."

"Will you pray for me, too?" Tom had played too much baseball not to
appreciate the value of organized cheering.

"Yes, I'll pray for you." And then Tom jumped up and planted a
thoroughgoing kiss--which was designed for the cheek, but which, upon
her turning quickly, was delivered, in a manner that even Leofwin would
have applauded--upon her neck.

* * * * *

On the sixth day Nancy sat up for a while d