answer the District Nurse's inquiry, assured them that their patient was
resting quietly. He even went so far as to say that possibly the fall
might work good in the end.

"I only say might in a general way. If the poor creature's mental apathy
has been due to an injury of the head, it may possibly be. Do you know
the cause of her mental condition?" he inquired of the nurse.

The nurse gave the information desired.

"If that is so, then the second blow may neutralize the first. It is
certainly an interesting case." But at the end he assured his visitors
that time only could prove what the outcome might be. "Poor Sal!" said
the nurse, as they left the large building, and went quietly down the
stone steps. "I wonder if it would be comforting to her to know she is
an 'interesting case.' Sal was never interesting before."

[Illustration: "I WILL GET THE MONEY FOR YOU, DINNEY,"]

"But just think if he should be right!" said Gloria, quivering with
excitement. "Wouldn't it be beautiful, just beautiful, if it should come
true! It would almost make me forgive that awful man who did not mend
the railing."

"But then," said the nurse, "unless life changes all through for Sal, it
might be worse to be beaten and starved and feel conscious of it, than
to be beaten and starved in a half-demented condition."

"Oh, don't put it that way!" said Gloria.