is? You couldn't even guess?"

"No, I couldn't even guess."

"I'll tell you, then." The plump Annie was bubbling like a child
before a well-filled Christmas stocking. "It's Jack: he's coming this
very day. A big, fierce Indian brought the letter this morning." She
sat down tailor fashion on the end of the bunk. "He nearly ate up
Susie--Jack christened her Susie because she's a Sioux--because she
wouldn't let him put the letter right into my own hand. That's why
I'm up so early."

She looked slyly at the woman on the bed.

"Who do you suppose is coming with him?" she asked.

"I'm sure I don't know," in a tone of not caring, either.

"Guess, Mollie!"

"Steve?"

"Of course--Steve. You knew all the time, only you wouldn't admit it.
Oh, I'm so glad! I want to hug some one. Isn't it fine?"

"Yes, fine indeed. But you don't mean that you want to hug Steve?"

"No, goose. You know I meant Jack; but I--" She regarded her friend
doubtfully. But Mollie Babcock was dressing rapidly, and her face was
averted.

"And Mollie, I didn't tell you all--almost the best. We're going home,
Jack says; going right away; this very week, maybe."

For a moment the dressing halted. "I am very glad--for you," said
Mollie, in an even voice.

"Glad, for me!" mimickingly, baitingly. "Mollie Babcock, if I didn't
know you better, I'd say you were envious."

Mollie said nothing.

"Or weren't glad your husband is coming."

Still no word.

"Or--or--Mollie, what have I done?" Annie cried in dismay. "Don't cry
so; I was only joking. Of course you know that I didn't mean that you
envied our good luck, or that you wouldn't be crazy to see Steve."

"But it's so. God help me, it's so!"

"Mollie!" Mrs. Warren was aghast. "Forgive me! I'm ashamed of
myself!"

"There's nothing to forgive; it's so."

"Please don't." The two were very close, very tense, but not touching.
"Don't say any more. I didn't hear--"

"You did hear. And you suspected, or you wouldn't have suggested!"

"Mollie, I never dreamed. I--"

Of a sudden the older woman faced about. Seizing the other by the
shoulders, she held her prisoner. She fixed the frightened woman's
eyes with a stern look.

"Will you swear that you never knew--that it was mere chance--what you
said?"

"Yes."

"You swear you didn't?"--the grip tightened--"you swear it?"

"I swear--oh, you're hurting me!"

Mollie Babcock let her hands drop.

"I believe you"--wearily. "It seemed that everybod