"Now look here," said Barbara, laying her hand affectionately on Jean's shoulder, "I want to tell you something. Years ago, I put aside a certain sum of money as a nest-egg for sickness or misfortune. None of us have ever needed it. I am using it now for your benefit, and you can pay me back later on, when you are busy painting again. You will let me have this pleasure, will you not?"
For a moment Jean's pride rose, then she crushed it back.
"I will regard it as a loan, Barbara. You don't need me to say how grateful I am."
She choked back a sob, and added: "Barbara, you have been my salvation. I think I should have died, if I had been taken to a hospital."
"And yet I found you so happy," said Barbara thoughtfully. "Jean, you have something that I have not. And I believe you found it enough, when you had everything else wanting!"
"Yes, I believe I did," Jean confessed.
[CHAPTER XXIII]
AN ARRIVAL
"Two human loves make one divine."—E. B. Browning.
THE next afternoon, Barbara took Jean out of her bedroom into the one adjoining it, which was now prettily arranged as a sitting-room. Flowers were on the table, and a dainty little afternoon tea was awaiting her.