tell you all the trouble. Your mother is suffering with a certain form of
hysteria to a degree that would have prostrated her had we not come forward
in time. As it is, by prostrating her ourselves for awhile, say a month or
so, she will regain her equilibrium. You have heard of the food and rest
cure?"

"Yes."

"Well, that is what she will undergo mildly. Has she any duties that will
suffer by her neglect or that will intrude upon her equanimity?"

"No necessary ones but those of the house. Under no circumstances can I
conceive of her giving up their supervision."

"Yet she must do so under the present state of affairs. Remember, her mind
must be kept unoccupied, but time must be made to pass pleasantly for her.
This is not an easy task, Miss Levice; but, according to my promise, I have
left you to undertake it."

"Thank you," she responded quietly.

Kemp looked at her with a sense of calm satisfaction.

"Good-morning," he said, holding out his hand with a smile.

As the door closed behind him, Ruth felt as if a burden had fallen from,
instead of upon her. For the last twenty-four hours her apprehensions had
been excessive. Now, though she knew positively that her mother's
condition needed instant and constant care, which she must herself assume,
all sense of responsibility fell from her. The few quiet words of this