I made that up last night when I laid awake thinkin' of all the fine
things we was goin' to have you do."

But Keith only shook his head again and complained of feeling, oh, so
tired. And Susan, looking at his pale, constrained face, did not quote
any more poetry to him, or talk about the glorious future in store for
him. She led him to the easiest chair in his room and made him as
comfortable as she could. Then she went downstairs and shut herself in
the pantry--until she could stop her "fool cryin' over nothin'."




CHAPTER VIII

AUNT NETTIE MEETS HER MATCH


Mrs. Nettie Colebrook came at half-past five. She was a small,
nervous-looking woman with pale-blue eyes and pale-yellow hair. She
greeted her brother with a burst of tears.

"Oh, Daniel, Daniel, how can you stand it--how can you stand it!" she
cried, throwing herself upon the man's somewhat unresponsive shoulder.

"There, there, Nettie, control yourself, do!" besought the man
uncomfortably, trying to withdraw himself from the clinging arms.

"But how CAN you stand it!--your only son--blind!" wailed Mrs.