phenomenon, impossible to overlook. The realization of it did not
obtrude itself into her mind, it simply existed subconsciously.

Yet for an instant it ceased to exist. She was staggered by a sense of
inferiority.

It lasted but a pin-point of time, this riotous upheaval of her nature.
She recovered herself so swiftly that Kirk, busy with his own emotions,
had no suspicion of it.

A moment later he, too, was himself again. He was conscious of feeling
curiously uplifted and thrilled, as if the world had suddenly become
charged with ozone and electricity, and for some reason he felt capable
of great feats of muscle and energy; but the aphasia had left him, and
he addressed himself with a clear brain to the task of entertaining his
visitors.

"George is better to-day," he reported.

"He never was bad," said Mrs. Porter succinctly.

"He doesn't think so."

"Possibly not. He is hopelessly weak-minded."

Ruth laughed. Kirk thrilled at the sound.

"Poor George!" she observed.

"Don't waste your sympathy, my dear," said Mrs. Porter. "That he is