d she had never known it! But now that she knew--!

There was the soft click of the telephone in the General's room.
Fearful lest the sound should waken her patient, she tore off the
tiara, turned up the neck of her dress to hide the shining collar,
dropped the cloak, pulled the chain of the lamp, then sped breathless
to the shadowed room.

Dr. McKenzie was at the other end of the wire.

"I am coming over, Hilda."

"You need not,"--her voice was a whisper--"he is sound asleep."

"I want to see you for a moment. It is very important."

She hesitated. "It is very late."

"Has young Drake arrived?"

"Yes. He has gone to bed."

"I'll be there in ten minutes. You can meet me downstairs."

The General stirred. "Miss Merritt."

She hung up the receiver and went to him at once.

"Has the Doctor come?"

"No. But he has just telephoned. He will be here shortly."

His sick old eyes surveyed her. "I never saw you before without your
cap--"

"No."

"You are very pretty."

She smiled down at him. "It is nice of you to say it."

"Don't wear your cap again, I don't like uniforms for women."

"But when I am on duty I must wear it. You know enough of discipline
to understand that I must."

"Yes. But women don't need discipline, God bless 'em." His old eyes
twinkled. "Has Derry come in?"

"Yes, and gone to bed. He asked after you."

"And it's Thanksgiving morning?"

"Yes."

"And no turkey for me. But you'll get me a glass of wine?"

"I'm not sure. I'll ask the Doctor."

She sat beside him until he again dozed. Then made her way once more
to the room where the lovely gowns were piled high on the bed, and the
jewels sparkled on the dressing-table. Quickly and noiselessly she put
them in place. Then she tried to take off the collar, but the snaps
held. She tugged and pressed, but with no result. She was afraid to
pull too hard lest she break the snaps.

At last she was forced to button the collar of her linen gown above it.
She smoothed her hair and put on her cap. The room as she surveyed it
showed no sign of her occupation. She put out the light and returned
to her patient.

She was at the front door to let the Doctor in when he arrived.

"The General is awake, and wants to see you. I'll come down when you
go, and we can talk."

As they entered the shadowed room together, the old man opened his
eyes. "Hello, McKenzie. Nurse, what made you put on your cap? I
don't like it.