"Not yet," said he. "I'd rather not have the boys round just yet. But I mustn't keep you. Good-by." And, getting up, he moved a few steps towards the door.
"Don't be in too much of a hurry, my dear," said Bess. "I must ring for Mary to bring my cloak. Don't try to come to the door, you will only tire yourself for nothing." And, putting him back on the sofa with a gentle force, she kissed him and was gone.
Later, when Bess, her parents, and Rob, who had been prevailed upon to stay, sat at their dinner-table, the young lady, after silently pondering some question in her own mind, suddenly announced with considerable energy,—
"I think Mrs. Allen is the most selfish woman I ever saw!"
Mrs. Carter, in her surprise at the outburst, dropped the biscuit that she was feeding to Fuzz, under cover of the tablecloth; for it was the rule of the family, agreed to by each, and broken by all, that Fuzz should not be fed at meal-times. The biscuit was at once appropriated by the dog, who trotted off to a corner with it in his mouth, and there proceeded to devour it, with sundry growls at the shaggy collie who gazed with longing eyes on the tempting morsel.
"Bess, my daughter," began Mrs. Carter, "don't be too severe. She may not be very strong."
"Strong, mother! How much strength does it take to entertain one's son who is ill? She'd better give up a few dinners and theatres. The idea of her leaving Fred alone all the afternoon. Rob, the next time you come up here, when you are tired and cross and headache-y, I am going to take a nap, so there!"
CHAPTER III.
THE BEGINNING OF THE FIGHT.
True to her promise, Bess did go often to see her boy. For several weeks it was her habit to spend a part of every afternoon with him; and the lad's evident pleasure at her coming made her feel richly rewarded for the time she gave up to him. He at once recognized her step in the hall, and she always found him sitting up on the sofa, eagerly waiting for her to come to him.