hebe would be less difficult for her to manage than their
older sister. She lingered for half an hour longer, talking with
Theodora until she heard Dr. McAlister's step upon the stairs; and when
at last she left the room, Theodora's good-night sounded quite as
cordial as her own.

CHAPTER FOUR

"I wish I could have all my wishes granted," Theodora said.

She was sitting in her favorite position on the grass beside Billy's
lounge, with her elbows on her knees and her chin in her clasped hands.
Billy, propped up among his cushions, smiled back at her benignly.

"You'd be most awfully disagreeable to live with," he returned.

"Thank you for the compliment. I'd like to run the risk, though."

"Let me move out of town first," the boy replied teasingly. "But you
needn't be greedy; I'd be satisfied to have one wish."

"That's because you don't need so many things as I do."

"It's because I have one thing I want so much more than I do the
others," he retorted.

She looked up at him with a sudden flash of tenderness in her eyes.

"I know," she said gently; "but it won't be long."

"Months, though. How would you like it to take a year out of your life?"

Theodora's brows contracted.

"Don't you suppose I ever think about it, Billy Farrington? I should be
frantic, if I were in your place, and I don't see how you ever stand it.
It makes my wishes seem so small, in comparison. I'd rather be poorer
than Job's turkey than spend even one month on my back. Does it hurt; or
is it just that you can't do things? Either one is bad enough."

"It hurts sometimes."

"Now?"

He nodded.

"I thought you looked tired, as if something bothered you," Theodora
said penitently; "and here I've stayed talking to you, when you'd rather
have been by yourself."

"Honestly, no. You make me forget things." He held out his hand in
protest, as she started to rise. "Sit down again."

She obeyed him; but she fell silent, as she sat looking up at him. He
had more color than usual, she noticed; but there were fine lines
between his brows, and his red-gold hair was pushed back from his face,
as if its weight irritated him.

"But what are the wishes?" he asked, restive under her scrutiny, and
seeking to divert her.

"Oh, I have dozens and dozens; but there are three great big ones which
increase in greatness as they go on."

"What are they?" he asked curiously. "You'll get them, if you wait long
enough. People always do."

"I do