who had known her sex in all its
environments. His heart was full of her, day and night; for day and
night he was wondering whether she could care for him as he knew he was
coming to care for her.

One day he received a telegram. It was from his mother and his sister,
who had just reached Boston from Bermuda, and it carried the brief
though emphatic information that they were starting to Tinkletown to
nurse and care for him. Bonner was thrown into a panic. He realised in
the instant that it would be impossible for them to come to Mr. Crow's
home, and he knew they could not be deceived as to his real condition.
His mother would naturally insist upon his going at once to Bonner
Place, across the river, and on to Boston as soon as he was able; his
clever sister would see through his motives like a flash of lightning.
Young Mr. Bonner loved them, but he was distinctly bored by the prospect
of their coming. In some haste and confusion, he sent for "Doc" Smith.

"Doctor, how soon will I be able to navigate?" he asked anxiously.

"Right now."

"You don't say so! I don't feel strong, you know."

"Well, your leg's doing well and all danger is past. Of course, you
won't be as spry as usual for some time, and you can't walk without
crutches, but I don't see any sense in your loafing around here on that
account. You'd be safe to go at any time, Mr. Bonner."

"Look here, doctor, I'm afraid to change doctors. You've handled this
case mighty well, and if I went to some other chap, he might undo it
all. I've made up my mind to have you look out for me until this wound
is completely healed. That's all right, now. I know what I'm talking
about. I'll take no chances. How long will it be until it is completely
healed?"

"A couple of weeks, I suppose."

"Well, I'll stay right here and have you look at it every day. It's too
serious a matter for me to trifle with. By the way, my mother is coming
up, and I dare say she'll want me to go to Boston. Our family doctor is
an old fossil and I don't like to trust him with this thing. You'll be
doing me a favour, doctor, if you keep me here until I'm thoroughly
well. I intend to tell my mother that it will not be wise to move me
until all danger of blood poisoning is past."

"Blood poisoning? There's no danger now, sir."

"You never can tell," said Bonner sagely.

"But I'd be a perfect fool, Mr. Bonner, if there were still danger of
that," complained the doctor. "What sort of a doctor w