was put out to greet him. "Are you almost strong enough to - play
football?"

The child smiled, and turned her head away. She had never known
any one in all her life like Jack Kimball, so big and strong, and
yet so kind. He almost made her feel timid and shy.

"I'm better every minute," she managed to say. "But, of course, I
ought to be."

She glanced at her nurse, Miss Brown, who was bringing the
morning's beef tea.

"She is really doing splendidly," put in the nurse. "But she is a
model patient - never wants what is not good for her."

"Is Clip coming to-day?" asked Wren, hesitating as she said
"Clip."

"I hope so," replied Jack, "but you know she is very busy, and may
not get here. But if she does not" - noting the child's
disappointment - "she will surely come to-morrow. She telephoned
so last night."

"Did she say anything about the book?" queried the little one.

"That's exactly what I want to talk about," he replied with nice
evasion. "I wonder are you well enough to try to remember about
that book. Where did you last have it?"