Then she went back to the arbour to
await Elnora's return. As she watched down the road she smiled softly.
"I had an idea he would speak to me first," she thought, "but this may
change things some. He hasn't time. Elnora will come back a happy girl,
and she has good reason. He is a model young man. Her lot will be very
different from mine."
She picked up her embroidery and began setting dainty precise little
stitches, possible only to certain women.
On the road Elnora spoke first. "I do hope it is nothing serious," she
said. "Is he usually strong?"
"Quite strong," said Philip. "I am not at all alarmed but I am very much
ashamed. I have been well enough for the past month to have gone home
and helped him with some critical cases that were keeping him at work in
this heat. I was enjoying myself so I wouldn't offer to go, and he would
not ask me to come, so long as he could help it. I have allowed him to
overtax himself until he is down, and mother and Polly are north at our
cottage. He's never been sick before, and it's probable I am to blame
that he is now."
"He intended you to stay this long when you came," urged Elnora.
"Yes, but it's hot in Chicago. I should have remembered him. He is
always thinking of me. Possibly he has needed me for days. I am ashamed
to go to him in splendid condition and admit that I was having such a
fine time I forgot to come home."
"You have had a fine time, then?" asked Elnora.
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