him was coming the strength he was to need,
a faith in himself that was to tide him over many gray morrows. It was
a very high place, the peak of his life. Ever afterward he was to look
up to that hour.

* * * * * *

That evening came Shirley, summoned by Mrs. Jim. But the nurse turned
her back at David's door. He had fever and the dreaded infection had
set in. There must be no excitement. So Shirley must wait. Two days
more she had to wait, anxious days during which she learned fast. On
the third the nurse raised the embargo for a few minutes, and Shirley,
breathless and afraid, went to the door through which the other had
gone.

He was ready for her coming. His only dread was that she might see
what he must never let her know. He had a deep pitying tenderness for
her, to whom love had appeared only as a pretty toy.

She halted uncertainly at the door. He saw that she doubted her
welcome.

"David, do you still want me to come?"

"Come, Shirley."

She went quickly to him and knelt by his side, and kissed him.

"Dear, I wanted to come. I couldn't stay away. And it wasn't because
you gave me a choice. Won't you believe that, David?"

"I believe that, Shirley."

"You only said, 'Come.' Don't you really want me? Do you think that
after a while, when I've learned all I have to learn--and proved what I
have to prove--you will be glad that I came?"

"I am glad now."

He touched the pretty gleaming hair caressingly.

"I believe you are! And they said--oh, David!"

She caught his hand and pressed it to her cheek.

Then he saw that she had come to the threshold of her house of toys and
stood looking out, trembling and frightened before the bigness of the
real world. He was staggered by that. She had come to the door too
late; for if she fared forth, she must go alone and untaught through a
country whose loneliness he had known. He must save her from that. He
could not give her the one thing which could companion her through
those arid wastes. The tender protective impulse surged stronger to
his aid.

Gently he sought to lead her back into her playhouse.

"Shirley, I have a confession to make. While you were gone St. Mark's
decided to build. I submitted some plans and--they were accepted. Do
you like my surprise?"

"Then you can go back to your profession. I am glad of that."

"It's a big commission, Shirley. Almost as big as St. Christopher's
woul