the blankets and among the soft pillows for the first few days, and then
she stayed without coaxing. The District Nurse was at her side, and
another was placed as substitute on her district.

The weeks went by, and gradually the white face took on a tinge of
color. Still more weeks went by and the pillows were forsaken for the
chair, and gradually Gloria crept back to the life waiting for her.
Uncle Em and she had had little snatches of talks.

"It shall be straightened; it shall be made beautiful, this crooked way
of ours!" her guardian assured her.

And Gloria had answered with a smile. In the olden days it would have
been a laugh, but Gloria must wait for strength to laugh.

It was on a clear early September morning that Uncle Em and Aunt Em took
Gloria on her first drive. The small figure of the District Nurse sat
beside Aunt Em on the back seat. Gloria sat with Uncle Em.

"Which way?" Uncle Em awaited orders. He did not look at Gloria, but
Gloria looked at him. Her eyes were shining.

"As if you didn't know!" she cried. "As if I hadn't been holding my
breath to go to the New Street!" But at the corner, as they were about
to turn, she caught at the reins. "No, let's leave that for the dessert,
the New Street. I'd rather, after all. We'll go to Dinney's House
first, Uncle Em."

[Illustration: "OH, UNCLE EM, NEW EVERYTHING."]