CHAPTER LXXII.
TOM FULLER RETURNS.
The next day Elsie was still stronger and better. She consented to lie in bed all the morning, making it a condition that she might get up and be carried downstairs to pass the evening.
"That is the dreariest time," she said; "it drags on so heavily."
Mellen promised her, and she was childishly happy.
"You shall have an early dinner, Grant, and then we'll take tea in the evening, and eat toast and jam just as we did when I was a child."
"Yes, that will be very comfortable."
He had tried to say pleasant, but he could not speak the word. The day was so warm and bright that a little after noon he took her out for a short drive, then she lay down to rest again, resolved to be strong and pass the evening below. The change was pleasant to her—she felt quite elated, as she always was in health, at the idea of amusement.
They got through the day rather quietly, and Elsie did not have a single relapse of her nervous tremors.
When she awoke from her afternoon nap it was growing dark. She cried out quite joyfully when she saw Grantley sitting by the bed: