ve of luxury as you
do. He positively refused to get up yesterday on account of the 'soft
feel,' as he termed it, of that quilt. Now, you know, he must get up; he
is able to, and in a week I wish to start him in to work again. Then he
won't be able to afford such 'soft feels,' and he will rebel. He has had
enough coddling for his own good. I really think it is mistaken kindness
on your part, Miss Levice."

The girl was leaning lightly against one of the supporting columns. A
playful smile parted her lips as she listened.

"Dr. Kemp," she replied, "may I give you a little friendly scolding?"

"You have every right." His tone was somewhat earnest, despite his
smiling eyes. A man of thirty-five does not resent a friendly scolding
from a winsome young girl.

"Well, don't you think it is rather hard of you to deprive poor Bob of
any pleasure to-day may bring, on the ground that to-morrow he may wish
it too, and will not be able to have it?"

"As you put it, it does seem so; but I am pugnacious enough to wish
you to see it as practically as I do. Put sentiment aside, and the
only sensible thing to be done now is to prepare him for the hard,
uncushioned facts of an active life."

"But why must it be so hard for him?"

"Why? In the face of the inevitable, that is a time-wasting, useless
question. Life is so; even if we find its underlying cause, the
discovery will not alter the fact."

"Yes, it will."

"How?"

"By its enabling us to turn our backs on the hard way and seek a
softer."

"You forget that strait-jacket to all inclination,--circumstance."

"And are you not forgetting that friendly hands may help to remove the
strait-jacket?"

Her lovely face looked very winning, filled with its kindly meaning.

"Thank you," said he, raising his hat and forgetting to replace it as he
spoke; "that is a gentle truth; some day we shall discuss this further.
For the present, use your power in getting Bob upon his feet."

"Yes." She gave a hurried glance at the door behind her, and ran quickly
down to the lowest step. "Dr. Kemp," said she, a little breathlessly,
"I have wished for some time to ask you to let me know when you have
any cases that require assistance outside of a physician's,--such as
my father or I might lend. You must have a broad field for such
opportunities. Will you think of me then, please?"

"I will," he replied, looking with amused pleasure at her flushed face.
"Going in for philanthropy, Miss Levi