Then I will call." She closed the door and Molly found herself looking
fearfully through the dim shadows cast by half-drawn green blinds, at an
emaciated face on the pillow. Her pulses throbbed and she wanted very
much to cry. Indeed, it required almost superhuman effort to keep back
the tears. Was this emaciated, wax-like face on the pillows her
Professor's?

"I'm afraid I ought not to be here," she began in a low voice.

"If you leave I shall cry," said the Professor. "Won't you come nearer?"

Molly crept over to the bedside and stood looking down into the changed
face. Only the brown eyes seemed the same. She choked and tried to
smile. One must be cheerful with sick people, and she hoped the
Professor would think it was the rain that had wet her cheeks.

"Shake hands, Miss Molly," said the Professor, lifting one transparent
hand and then dropping it weakly.

With an impulse she could hardly explain she knelt beside the bed and
put her hand over his.

"You are much better?" she whispered.

"I'll soon be well, now," he replied. "But I've been on a long journey.
It seemed endless--so many mountains to climb and rivers to cross--such
impenetrable forests----" he paused and shook his head. "I was beginning
to get very tired and lonely, too--it's dismal taking the journey
alone--but I've come to the end now--it's over----" again he paused and
smiled. "I'm glad to find you at last. I've been looking for you a long
time."

"I would have come sooner, but they--but she said no one was to see
you."

"The nurse?"

Molly shook her head.

"My sister?"

"No, Miss Fern."

"I never was so bossed in my life----" a sudden strength came into his
voice. "These women!" he added in a tone of disgust.

The door opened and Otoyo's voice was heard saying in a loud whisper.

"The ten minutes have passed away."

"Good-bye," whispered Molly.

"Will you come again?" he asked.

She nodded and tiptoed hurriedly out of the room. She had caught a
glimpse of the blue paper weight on the table during that stolen
interview.

"No wonder Miss Alice Fern is so bossy with him," she thought. "I
suppose she has a right to be." Molly sighed. Somehow she wished she had
not seen the blue paper weight. It had spoiled all the happiness in the
visit, except of course her happiness over his recovery.

When the two girls reached the head of the stairs, the door to the ward
opened and the nurse looked out. She exchanged a smiling nod with O