out of curiosity, and that advertised the place. Then she slaves day
and night, goes right into the kitchen herself and watches things;
and she has such a way with the help--she knows how to manage them.
And the result is that we've got the house packed for next winter,
and we'll have as many as thirty people here all summer long. I feel
like another person, "the tears suddenly brimmed her weak, kind
eyes, and she fumbled with her handkerchief. "You'll think I'm crazy
running on this way!" said little Mrs. Kippam, "but everything has
gone so good. My Lesty is much better, and as things are now I can
get him into the country next year; and I feel like I owed it all to
Margaret Kirby!"

John tried to speak, but the room was wheeling about him. As he
raised his trembling hand to his eyes, a shadow fell across the
doorway, and Margaret came in. Tired, shabby, laden with bundles,
she stood blinking at him a moment; and then, with a sudden cry of
tenderness and pity, she was on her knees by his side.

"Margaret! Margaret!" he whispered. "What have you done?"

She did not answer, but gathered him close in her strong arms, and
they kissed each other with wet eyes.




III


A few weeks later John came to the boarding-house, nervous,